Is The Christophers with Ian McKellen a Good Film? What Do Viewers Think of This New Soderbergh?

Steven Soderbergh is back in theaters with 'The Christophers.' Discover the first reactions from viewers.

Steven Soderbergh is back in theaters with "The Christophers," currently showing. Discover the first reactions from viewers.

A year after the double feature Presence-The Insider, Steven Soderbergh returns with The Christophers. This marks his eleventh feature film since announcing his retirement in 2013. A true black comedy that only Soderbergh can master, the film was co-written by his friend Ed Solomon (Charlie's Angels, Now You See Me series) and stars the immense Ian McKellen alongside the talented Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You).

Julian Sklar, a former major figure in London’s pop art scene who has become a misanthrope, hasn’t painted anything in decades. His children, eager for inheritance, hire Lori, a restorer and former forger, to pose as his assistant. Her mission: to secretly finish a series of eight unfinished paintings, the "Christophers," and make a fortune from them.

What did viewers think of this new feature from Steven Soderbergh? On AlloCiné, the film currently holds an average rating of 3.3 out of 5, based on 37 ratings and 7 reviews.

McKellen and Coel, a Striking Duo

Viewers praise the film as intellectually stimulating, questioning the value of art and its authenticity. The confined setting, which almost becomes a character in its own right, provides the perfect backdrop for an actor duel dominated by a masterful Ian McKellen.

Lorbous (4.5/5): "Seen at the Positif premiere at the Forum des images. A superb film, cynical, deep, and tender as well. A magnificent Ian McKellen."

Yves G. from the Allociné Club (2/5): "(...) Steven Soderbergh is definitely where we least expect him. A victim of early fame — he was one of the youngest recipients of the Palme d'Or at just twenty-six with Sex, Lies, and Videotape — he has alternated for thirty years between blockbusters (Erin Brockovich, Traffic, Ocean's Eleven and its unnecessary sequels, Solaris…) and small experimental films. This film is somewhere in between: it’s neither a small film with a surprising form nor a big Hollywood machine. It’s a 'middle film,' to borrow an expression once used by Pascale Ferran. (...)"

Soderbergh Lacks a Bit of Bite

For some, the film suffers from a weak plot and an excess of dialogue that ultimately slows down the pace. Despite the density of the themes addressed, the lack of narrative stakes leaves viewers skeptical about this new offering from Soderbergh.

Mélany T. (3/5): "The sounds and the narrative are lovely, but the direction and the script are rather flat and boring. It’s a shame."

FaRem from the Allociné Club (2.5/5): "(...) Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen are fantastic, but not enough to elevate a weak plot and humor that isn’t sharp enough. This isn’t a 'theft' in the style of Steven Soderbergh, but rather a film about art, the value of works, and the importance of authenticity, as well as a story about inheritance, whether familial, human, or artistic. I didn’t hate it, but it’s not my favorite among the director’s recent films."

In Summary

With The Christophers, Soderbergh delivers a polished chamber piece led by an imperial Ian McKellen. However, while the philosophical dialogues are appealing, the thin plot and slow pace deter others. The director's output since his supposed retirement continues to surprise.

The Christophers is currently in theaters.