Steven Soderbergh’s latest project, the film The Christophers, brings to life a compelling story about artistic legacy, featuring powerhouse performances by Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. This intense drama, scripted by Ed Solomon, delves into the complexities surrounding unfinished artwork and the personal conflicts entwined with its completion. Set against a London backdrop, the film examines ambition, betrayal, and redemption through the interactions of its principal characters.
Plot and Character Dynamics Reveal Deep Artistic Conflicts
Ian McKellen portrays Sklar, a once-rebellious British art icon facing the end of his life, who refuses to pass his estate to his children. Michaela Coel plays Lori, a talented young painter secretly enlisted by Sklar’s adult children to finish eight undisclosed canvases that could be worth millions. What begins as a covert mission unfolds into a psychologically complex engagement between Lori and Sklar, blending admiration with resentment and unresolved tensions.
Lori’s connection to Sklar is marked by history and pain—he inspired her to pursue art but also publicly humiliated her during her early career as a judge on the televised series Art Fight. Their interactions become a prolonged mental duel that challenges both characters deeply, with Lori having the power either to restore Sklar’s reputation or exact her revenge after his death.
The Film’s Central Themes: Forgery, Redemption, and the Value of Art
The Christophers goes beyond the surface story of art forgery to explore deeper ideas of completion and reconciliation. Sklar, whose health is failing, confronts the unfinished aspects of his life, including personal relationships and professional legacies. His estranged partner, Christopher, is a key figure behind the emotional inspiration for many of his celebrated pieces, highlighting the human stories woven into the art.
The setting of Sklar’s residence—a pair of adjacent flats in a formerly bohemian London neighborhood—provides an intimate stage for the characters’ confrontations. Sklar, despite having not produced significant work in decades, engages Lori with a charismatic and relentless monologue, revealing his complex personality and fading power. McKellen’s commanding presence and sharp delivery anchor the film’s intense dialogue, while Coel’s measured performance conveys Lori’s guarded determination and astute observations.
Contrasting Generations and Perspectives on Art
Lori represents a newer generation of artists: a queer Black woman with insightful critiques of the traditional art world’s flaws. Her intelligence and awareness are evident in a poignant essay she wrote about Sklar, where she critically examines his biases and outdated attitudes. The script touches on themes of misogyny and hypocrisy through Lori’s perspective, carefully avoiding overemphasis on political aspects to maintain narrative balance.
“Only outrage against cancel culture came after he had been canceled himself.”
—Lori
Soderbergh’s direction emphasizes the clash between past and present, using sharp exchanges to dissect the legacies of influential figures. The film opts for a cerebral exploration of relationships and artistic authorship rather than focusing on the technicalities of art fraud. Brief visual montages hint at Lori’s skill without dwelling excessively on the forgery process itself, shifting the viewer’s attention to questions about who truly owns art and how it should be remembered.
Inspiration Drawn from 1960s Radical Artists
Ed Solomon’s script is inspired by renowned radical artists of the 1960s, particularly David Hockney’s celebrated portraits of Peter Schlesinger, which serve as a clear influence for the fictional Christopher series depicted in the film. This motif prompts reflection on artistic creation: are paintings private expressions owned solely by the artist, or do they belong to the public, irrespective of who physically completes them? The film challenges these boundaries through Lori’s mission and Sklar’s insistence on destroying his unfinished works.
The Meaning of Artistic Legacy in The Christophers
The story raises profound questions about legacy—not just of artworks but of memory and how one is remembered by others. It offers an answer centered on endurance in public consciousness, suggesting that lasting impact goes beyond mere survival of the physical works. The characters’ struggles embody this quest for significance, exposing the imperfect humanity behind celebrated creations.
“To last in the minds of others.”
—Narrative Reflection
For Sklar and Lori alike, the film reveals that being remembered is important, but the manner of remembrance holds even greater meaning. This exploration of legacy maps onto broader themes of identity, power, and reconciliation, making The Christophers a multilayered meditation on artistic and personal endurance.
Performances and Direction Blend to Highlight Psychological Depth
Ian McKellen delivers a dynamic and layered portrayal of Sklar, embodying a fallen but still compelling figure as he shifts between arrogance, vulnerability, and introspection. His portrayal includes moments of physical decline and crude humor, underscoring the contrast between the man’s former brilliance and present frailty. Meanwhile, Michaela Coel’s restrained performance offers a subtle counterbalance, using body language and microexpressions to communicate Lori’s internal conflicts and cautious navigation of power dynamics.
Soderbergh’s signature craftsmanship shines through in directing the film’s intricate psychological interplay, akin to classic two-person dramas like Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth. The sharp wit, emotional tension, and power struggles between these characters keep audiences engaged in a story that is equal parts confrontation and revelation.
Impact on Audiences and the Art World Conversation
The Christophers injects fresh energy into ongoing discussions about authorship, appropriation, and the role of art in society. It invites viewers to reconsider their assumptions about creative ownership and the ways legacies are shaped by those left behind. As Soderbergh’s latest exploration of con artistry and psychological games, the film continues his track record of compelling, thought-provoking storytelling.
With this project premiering in London, where much of the narrative unfolds, the film is poised to resonate with both art aficionados and broader audiences, inviting reflection on how cultural icons are revered and contested. The performances by McKellen and Coel ensure that The Christophers will be remembered not only as an artistic legacy film but also as a gripping character study with universal themes.
