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California Schemin'

Play trailer Poster for California Schemin' 2025 1h 47m Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 44 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 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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Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 23h
4/5
The less themselves they are, the more the doors seem to open. It’s not hard to imagine that McAvoy himself, at least early in his career, might have related to that struggle. But, with his directorial debut, he’s certainly made his home nation proud. Go to Full Review Tom Shone The Times (UK) 1d
3/5
McAvoy feels the pain as well as the joy of his two cultural minstrels. Go to Full Review David Jenkins Little White Lies 1d
2/5
Its feelgood arc is all a little predictable and soft-edged. Go to Full Review Brian Viner Daily Mail (UK) 1d
5/5
It tells a cracking story with terrific verve, and makes it impossible not to invest in these two pals. Go to Full Review Rachel Walshe Film Ireland Magazine 1d
Ultimately, California Schemin’ is fun. The jokes are great, and the narrative tightly constructed. Go to Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall 2d
4/5
For his directing debut, James McAvoy fills the screen with joyful exuberance while also exploring darker dramatic corners. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steph D @RT96417115 2h Such a great watch. Brilliant acting and characters you feel like you know. McAvoy with so many nods to real Scottish culture and patter. Loved it. See more Read all reviews
California Schemin'

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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