Last updated: August 27, 2026 · Published: August 26, 2026
A quietly acclaimed Steven Soderbergh film has just landed in the most convenient place you can stream it. The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen alongside Emmy winner Michaela Coel, is now up on Hulu.
What it is
The black comedy first bowed at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025, then got a limited US theatrical release on April 10, 2026 before finally finding its streaming home on Hulu. It was written by Ed Solomon (Now You See Me) and sits at 95% on the Tomatometer, with a runtime of 1 hour 47 minutes.
The setup: a forgery disguised as a restoration
The plot is deliciously nasty. An aging painter’s greedy children hire a secret restorer to finish his unfinished portrait series before he dies, hoping to cash in on the completed work. Their plan collapses when the painter catches on — and instead of falling apart, he ends up forming a bond with the artist. What starts as a scam turns into a strange, twisted partnership built to outsmart the family.
It’s the kind of messy rich-people drama Soderbergh does so well, all gallery-world chaos, secrets and betrayal. Alongside McKellen and Coel, the cast includes Jessica Gunning, Tilly Botsford, Daniel Fearn, Lucy McCormick, Dallas Campbell and Ferdy Roberts.
Key facts at a glance
| Film | The Christophers |
| Director | Steven Soderbergh |
| Stars | Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel |
| Writer | Ed Solomon (Now You See Me) |
| Premiere | TIFF, September 7, 2025 |
| Theatrical release | April 10, 2026 (US), via Neon |
| Rating | 95% critics score, 1 hr 47 min |
| Stream now | Hulu |
A Soderbergh swing with critics behind it
The film didn’t light up the box office after its modest theatrical run, but the critics have been behind it — it’s sitting at 95% on the Tomatometer as of this writing. That acclaim, paired with a high-profile leading man, is exactly why this home release feels like the moment more people finally discover it. McKellen hasn’t exactly slowed down lately, either.
Watch: the trailer and an early review
The Christophers Trailer #1
The trailer reveals what’s pitched as a restoration job is really a forgery job at the movie’s core — the hidden restorer hired to complete the unfinished Christophers for the painter’s family.
The Christophers review: did Ian McKellen just save this movie?
The reviewer notes McKellen is performing like he still has something to prove, and frames the film as juicy, shady rich-people drama full of secrets and betrayal.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Christophers about?
An aging painter’s greedy children hire a secret restorer to finish his unfinished portrait series before he dies. When the painter catches on, the scam turns into a twisted partnership built to outsmart the family.
Who stars in The Christophers?
Ian McKellen and Emmy winner Michaela Coel lead the cast, with Jessica Gunning, Tilly Botsford, Daniel Fearn, Lucy McCormick, Dallas Campbell and Ferdy Roberts. Steven Soderbergh directs from an Ed Solomon script.
Where can I watch The Christophers?
It’s streaming now on Hulu. It premiered at TIFF in September 2025 and had a limited US theatrical release in April 2026.
Is The Christophers good?
Critics have been behind it — it holds a 95% score on the Tomatometer. Reviews praise McKellen’s performance and the film’s art-world intrigue.
How long is The Christophers?
1 hour 47 minutes.
Who distributed the theatrical release?
Neon handled the limited US theatrical release on April 10, 2026.
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Sources: Yahoo Entertainment, IMDb, AOL
