TL;DR
- The first trailer for The Christophers has been released by Neon.
- The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon.
- It stars Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, James Corden, and Jessica Gunning.
- The story centers on a once-famous painter whose children hire a forger to secretly finish his unfinished artwork.
- The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and arrives in theaters April 10, 2026.
What Does the Trailer for The Christophers Reveal?
The newly released trailer for The Christophers teases a sharp and quietly chaotic dark comedy built around art, deception, and family greed.
The story centers on aging pop artist Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen, who was once a major figure in London’s 1960s and ’70s pop art scene but hasn’t painted in decades and is now financially struggling.
The trailer introduces Lori, played by Michaela Coel, an art restorer and former forger who is recruited by Julian’s estranged children. Their plan? Gain access to eight unfinished canvases hidden away in storage and secretly finish them so they can later be “discovered” after Julian’s death — dramatically boosting their value.
But the trailer hints that the scheme won’t go as smoothly as planned. Once Lori meets Julian, their tense and increasingly personal dynamic threatens to unravel the entire operation.
What Is The Christophers About?
At its core, The Christophers is a darkly comic drama about legacy, authenticity, and the uncomfortable truth behind great art.
Julian’s children — played by James Corden and Jessica Gunning — are desperate for their inheritance and see the unfinished paintings as a financial opportunity. They hire Lori to secretly replicate Julian’s artistic style and complete the works, allowing them to later sell the paintings as long-lost masterpieces.
However, the closer Lori gets to Julian, the more complicated the situation becomes. The film explores questions of artistic integrity, exploitation, and the fragile ego of a once-great creator confronting his fading legacy.
Who Made The Christophers?
The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh, the prolific filmmaker behind Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic, and Contagion. The screenplay comes from longtime collaborator Ed Solomon, marking another creative partnership between the two filmmakers.
The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, where it received strong critical reactions, with many critics praising McKellen’s performance and the film’s sharp dialogue.
With a runtime of around 100 minutes, the project blends elements of satire, family drama, and art-world intrigue.
When Will The Christophers Release?
Following its festival debut, The Christophers will open in limited theaters in New York and Los Angeles on April 10, 2026, before expanding to additional markets later in the spring.
The film is being distributed in the United States by Neon, the indie studio known for championing critically acclaimed films and festival standouts.
