Ian McKellen’s near-perfect “riveting” drama that’s a “wicked delight” confirms UK release date

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Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, starring Ian McKellen and Michael Coel, will arrive in UK cinemas after receiving excellent reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. Penned by Ed Solomon, a writer from the Bill & Ted movies, The Christophers features Michael Coel as Lori Butler, a talented forger. She’s brought in by the adult children of famous artist Julian Sklar (played by Ian McKellen) to complete his unfinished artwork so they can sell it.

I was really surprised to see James Corden and Jessica Gunning from Baby Reindeer playing Julian’s kids, Barnaby and Sallie Sklar! They’re constantly scheming to make sure his paintings get finished, no matter what it takes. It’s a fun dynamic to watch!

I’m so excited! I just found out that The Christophers is finally coming to UK and Irish cinemas on May 15th. If you’re in the US, you’re in luck – you can see it even sooner, on April 10th! I’ve been waiting for this release for ages.

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Steven Soderbergh’s new film is getting great reviews after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, with a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

All 31 critics agree that Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel have fantastic chemistry on screen. One reviewer described their dynamic as a delightful and compelling contrast of acting styles, like a captivating tennis match (according to Ty Burr’s Watch List).

According to RogerEbert.com, the strength of The Christophers lies in the performances of Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, whose characters clash due to their very different personalities.

I’ve been reading a lot about this movie, and people are seriously loving it. Some critics are calling it a really thought-provoking look at art, and others are just saying it’s a blast! Apparently, Ian McKellen gives what a lot of people are calling the best performance of his entire career. It sounds amazing!

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This new film is the latest from director Steven Soderbergh, following his well-received 2025 releases. Those included the spooky, single-location ghost story Presence, featuring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan, and the action-packed spy thriller Black Bag, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.

Michaela Coel will appear in the upcoming thriller Mother Mary, alongside Anne Hathaway, who plays a pop star. The film centers on the pop star reconnecting with fashion designer Sam (Coel) after asking him to create a dress for her new tour, reigniting a complex relationship.

The film, which comes out on April 17th, features Hunter Schafer from Euphoria, Sian Clifford of Fleabag, and the musician FKA Twigs.

The Christophers releases in the US on 10 April and in the UK and Ireland on 15 May.

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2026-02-17 15:19