Steven Soderbergh's latest crime-comedy, 'The Christophers,' follows the estranged children of a deceased artist who hire a forger to complete his unfinished works. With a stellar cast including Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen, the film blends wit and moral ambiguity, now showing in Belgian cinemas.
Steven Soderbergh, the chameleon of American cinema, is back with a deliciously twisted art-world caper. The Christophers (2026) tells the story of a once-famous artist's children, who, after his death, hatch a scheme to have a forger finish his incomplete paintings—only to "discover" them later and sell them for a fortune. It's a premise that asks: how far would you go for an inheritance? And what does authenticity even mean when the art world is built on perception?
The film is a sharp blend of crime and comedy, a genre Soderbergh has mastered with films like Ocean's Eleven and Logan Lucky. Here, he trades heists in Las Vegas for the quiet absurdity of the art market. The cast is a delight: Michaela Coel brings her signature intensity, Ian McKellen plays the forger with a twinkle in his eye, and Jessica Gunning (fresh off Baby Reindeer) adds a layer of unpredictability. James Corden and Ferdy Roberts round out the ensemble as the bickering siblings.
Did you know? Soderbergh shot the film in just 23 days, using his trademark guerrilla-style filmmaking—often with natural light and minimal crew. This approach gives the movie an intimate, almost documentary feel, which contrasts beautifully with the high-stakes art fraud at its core. The director also served as his own cinematographer under his usual pseudonym, Peter Andrews, a habit he's kept since 2000's Traffic.
With a runtime of 100 minutes, The Christophers is a brisk, witty ride that keeps you guessing until the final brushstroke. It's currently playing in Belgian theaters, and it's the perfect pick for a night that wants brains, laughs, and a little bit of mischief.
