Steven Soderbergh had an exceptionally busy year in 2025, even by his prolific standards. In addition to releasing two films — "Black Bag", a gripping spy thriller, and "Presence", a chilling haunted house story — he managed to shoot a third, "The Christophers", which marks Soderbergh’s return to the crime genre, but with a humorous, art-world twist.
Set in London, this crime-comedy stars Sir Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar, a once-celebrated artist now living in obscurity with a complicated family life. His two estranged children, desperate for a piece of his fortune, hire an art restorer and former forger, Lori (played by Michaela Coel), to gain access to his hidden unfinished artworks. Their plan is, seemingly, to collect them and later turn them into "discovered" treasures after his passing.
If the premise sounds like classic Soderbergh, you're not wrong. Known for his ability to blend sharp dialogue, complex characters, and dark humor, Soderbergh is no stranger to crime films, having directed hits like "Ocean’s Eleven" (2001), "Out of Sight" (1998), and the "Logan Lucky" (2017) caper. Much like those films, "The Christophers" is an intricately layered story, dealing with themes of deception, identity, and the art world’s commodification.
The film, which sees Soderberg reuniting with "No Sudden Move" writer Ed Solomon, focuses on the scheme of Lori, who plans to “finish” Julian’s abandoned artworks, only for them to be discovered posthumously, thus inflating their value. Naturally, things get complicated, as Soderbergh’s crime films often do.
As usual, Soderbergh also edited and shot the film under his oft-used pseudonyms 'Peter Andrews' and 'Mary Ann Bernard'.
Along with McKellen and Coel, the cast includes James Corden and Jessica Gunning as Julian’s ambitious children, each with their own ulterior motives.
Given Soderbergh's strong track record for making high-quality material on a limited budget, in which style and substance find a delightful harmony, it’s no surprise that "The Christophers" has already gained attention at the Toronto International Film Festival, with early buzz growing ahead of its UK release on May 15.
It's not yet known when the film will be accessible to cinephiles in India. With a mix of crime, comedy, and an art-world backdrop, the film promises to offer a unique take on the genre.