The Christophers (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Christophers is a 2026 comedy drama directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar, James Corden and Jessica Gunning. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Department M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Christophers About?
The premise of The Christophers without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) was a celebrated figure in London’s 1960s‑70s pop‑art boom, but he’s stopped painting and has lived in poverty for years. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning), eager for an inheritance, enlist Lori, an art restorer and former forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant in order to gain access to his estate.
The Christophers Cast & Characters
Ian McKellen leads the cast as Julian Sklar, with James Corden as Barnaby Sklar and Jessica Gunning as Sallie Milton Sklar. Directed by Steven Soderbergh; 12 actors are credited in all.
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Director Steven Soderbergh
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Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar -
James Corden as Barnaby Sklar - Jessica Gunning as Sallie Milton Sklar
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Michaela Coel as Lori Butler
Also Starring in The Christophers
· 8 more- Dallas Campbell Art Fight Moderator
- Daniel Fearn Locksmith
- Ferdy Roberts Owen Appleton
- Stuart Cooke Press
- Lucy McCormick Lori's Flatmate #1
- Dmitri Prokopiev Food Truck Patron
- Tilly Botsford Esme
- Le Fil Lori's Flatmate #2
More from Steven Soderbergh
More films directed by Steven Soderbergh, best-rated first: sex, lies, and videotape, Traffic, King of the Hill and Black Bag.
The Christophers Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Christophers 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
The Christophers Echo Score Breakdown
The Christophers registers a strong positive consensus, driven by its deft direction, compelling performances, and thoughtful narrative. Critics commend Soderbergh's visual style and the chemistry between McKellen and Coel, while user feedback acknowledges the film's charm despite occasional pacing concerns. The soundtrack and score reinforce the film's tonal balance, contributing to an experience that rewards repeat viewings. Overall, the movie delivers a satisfying blend of artistry and entertainment that resonates with the majority of viewers.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film showcases confident direction and cinematography. Critics note Soderbergh's swirling camera work and the visual energy that sustains dense monologues. Users acknowledge the distinctive score but some describe the art elements as pretentious. The combined feedback points to a solid technical execution that, while occasionally divisive, remains effective.
- Character & Emotion 85
Character and emotion emerge as a primary strength, with both leads delivering nuanced performances. Critics highlight a master class in line readings and the dynamic interplay between the protagonists. User comments echo this sentiment, praising the chemistry and labeling the acting a tour de force. Despite a few remarks about staged moments, the consensus affirms a high level of character work.
- Story & Flow 75
The story presents an inventive premise that intertwines art world intrigue with personal reflection. Critics appreciate the clever twists and richer thematic layers beyond a simple crime plot. User responses note a slow start and occasional drags, yet many find the plot enjoyable and worthwhile. Overall, the narrative is regarded as engaging, though its pacing can feel uneven.
- Sensory Experience 78
Sensory experience is reinforced by a resonant score and distinctive visual styling. Critics commend the soundtrack's mood-setting and the director's control over camera movement. Some users specifically mention the effective mood created by the music. While a few viewers find portions of the audio‑visual presentation pretentious, the dominant impression is that the sensory elements support the film's tone.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch factor benefits from the film's layered storytelling and enjoyable performances. Critics describe it as fun, with anticipation of twists that reward multiple viewings. User feedback includes remarks about fun and repeat appeal, though some cite boredom in certain segments. The mixed yet generally positive sentiment suggests the movie holds moderate replay value.
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Rotten Tomatoes 95% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 87%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic
The Christophers Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Christophers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lori Butler, Michaela Coel is a young artist who hasn’t exhibited in years and is drawn into a calculated plan by Julian Sklar’s unscrupulous children to finish the Christophers behind his back after his death. Julian Sklar, Ian McKellen, is a renowned painter based in London, now elderly and eccentric. In the 1990s, he completed two series of paintings called The Christophers based on a former lover; a third series remains unfinished, and he has not worked on them in years. His reputation has faded as he has aged, even as his current life includes long sessions of recording Cameos for his fans to earn a living.
Full summary
The whole story of The Christophers, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Christophers Box Office
The Christophers grossed $5 million worldwide. $1.8 million came from the US and Canada and $3.2 million (64%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$5M
- US & Canada
- $1.8M
- International
- $3.2M
How Well Do You Know The Christophers?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the elderly painter Julian Sklar?
Seen The Christophers?
Articles About The Christophers
Our article about The Christophers: “The Christophers (2026) Review & Opinions: Critics, Fan Reception, Performance & Storytelling Analysis”.
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Opinions
The Christophers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Christophers, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Christophers?
The Christophers runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Christophers released?
The Christophers was released on April 10, 2026.
Who directed The Christophers?
The Christophers was directed by Steven Soderbergh.
More films by Steven Soderbergh Who is in the cast of The Christophers?
The Christophers stars Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar, James Corden as Barnaby Sklar and Jessica Gunning as Sallie Milton Sklar, among 12 credited actors.
How much did The Christophers make at the box office?
The Christophers grossed $5 million worldwide ($1.8 million domestic, $3.2 million international).
How is The Christophers rated?
The Christophers has 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.
Does The Christophers have a post-credit scene?
No. The Christophers has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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