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California Schemin'

Play trailer California Schemin' 2025 1h 47m Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 22 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Two Scottish lads from Dundee conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, bagging a record deal and appearing on MTV until their scam unraveled.

Critics Reviews

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Jessica Kiang Variety Oct 6
McAvoy’s smarts in bringing out some of those unusual textures while the main engine of his movie chugs merrily away to an audience-friendly, exportable beat, is good reason to watch California Schemin’. Go to Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter Sep 12
In the talented hands of James McAvoy, making his directorial debut, those well-traveled, rise-and-fall tropes nevertheless make for an underdog dramatic comedy that proves hard to resist. Go to Full Review Robert Daniels Screen International Sep 11
A memorable take on the hiphop movie. Go to Full Review Gavin Spoors FILMHOUNDS Magazine Oct 11
4/5
Turns out McAvoy has a deft hand when it comes to directing, creating a musical biopic full of energy and surprising attention to detail. Go to Full Review Jules Caldeira Film Inquiry Oct 8
California Schemin’ is a solid directorial debut, with underdog leads that are charismatic even when they make the wrong decisions. Go to Full Review Murjani Rawls Substream Magazine Oct 2
While the film’s beats have an inevitability to them, just enough smart deviations exist to make this an enjoyable debut. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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James McAvoy

Director

Seamus McLean Ross

Actor

Samuel Bottomley

Actor

Lucy Halliday

Actor

Rebekah Murrell

Actor

James McAvoy

Actor
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California Schemin'

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Movie Info

Synopsis Two Scottish lads from Dundee conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, bagging a record deal and appearing on MTV until their scam unraveled.
Director
James McAvoy
Producer
Danny Page, Paul Aniello, Simon Kay, Michael Mendelsohn
Screenwriter
Archie Thomson, Elaine Gracie
Production Co
Patriot Pictures, Homefront Productions
Genre
Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 47m