The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen, is drawing strong early attention after earning an almost perfect critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is helmed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Ed Solomon. It revolves around a family that turns to an art forger to finish a set of abandoned paintings in hopes of securing their inheritance.
What the critics are saying about The Christophers in reviews
The Christophers has drawn a largely positive response from critics, with reviews focusing on its storytelling and performances.
Joonatan Itkonen of Region Free described the film as “a finely tuned, often impeccably acted, and thoroughly compelling chamber piece.” He added that it works as “intellectual comfort food” and ultimately “leaves you with a warm, cozy feeling like a good hug.”
Writing for TheWrap, Chase Hutchinson acknowledged that the film may not rank among Steven Soderbergh’s best works. However, he still called it “one of his most unexpectedly engrossing.”
Hutchinson noted that the conclusion stands out, writing that it “creates some of the most curious final notes in his cinematic career.” He concluded, “In the end, this film about artists becomes a work of art in its own right.”
At RogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico highlighted the performances as the film’s strongest point, particularly the dynamic between the lead characters. He wrote, “What works best about The Christophers is the interplay between the performances and characters played by Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel.” He added that their evolving relationship brings “an intellectual life and curiosity that movies too rarely seek these days.”
Rachel Labonte of ScreenRant wrote, “The Christophers trusts its two leads and their characters to guide the audience to its desired conclusion, and watching it unfurl is a rewarding experience.”
The Christophers gets an incredible score on Rotten Tomatoes
The Christophers currently holds a 97 percent critics score on the Tomatometer from 32 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, an audience score on the Popcornmeter has not yet been recorded. The ratings may change as more reviews are added.
As reported by Deadline, the film will begin its theatrical rollout with a limited release in New York and Los Angeles on April 10, 2026. It will be followed by a wider expansion later in the spring.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
