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Sunny Dancer
Film
FilmR2026
California Schemin'
Directed by James McAvoy
After being ridiculed for their Scottish accents, two ambitious musicians reinvent themselves as American rappers and fool the British music industry into a lucrative record deal, only for their elaborate lie to unravel under the weight of instant fame. From TMDB
75 reactions from 3 sources (Bluesky, Mastodon, TMDB reviews) · newest Oct 18, 2026 · last updated Oct 19, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
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No Data
Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 8 | 0 | 56 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| TMDB reviews * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
At a glance
California Schemin' is a 2026 music comedy drama film, directed by James McAvoy, starring Séamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley and Lucy Halliday.
- 54 people have posted about this film on Bluesky, Mastodon, TMDB reviews
- posts span Nov 20, 2024 to Oct 18, 2026
Assembled from TMDB, Wikidata and Steam fields and our own counts, nothing written by a model. Method
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
75 public posts have mentioned California Schemin' so far, but it needs 10 opinionated reactions from checked sources before it gets a score. Seen it? Post your take.
Critics, per Wikipedia
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 71 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "California Schemin' transcends its predictability with its tonal evolution from playful comedy to poignant drama and central performances that make its underdog journey hard to resist." Metacritic assigned the film a score of 65 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
The Experts
76%
avg of 3 sources
The People
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audience score
Reactions
60 of 75 · most liked first‘We need to be able to recognise ourselves when we look in the mirror and either be OK or not OK with the person we see’: James McAvoy on fun, fame and directing his first film, the musical biopic California Schemin' Q&A by Hanna Flint www.thenerve.news/p/james-mcav...
neutral · AI labelView post →Trailers: Undertone, Mortal Kombat II, Tuner, California Schemin' What a weirdly structured film. I can't say why without spoilers, but those who have seen it will know exactly what I mean.
neutral · AI labelView post →The "California Schemin'" poster is kind of perfect for a movie about goofy rap shenanigans in the early 2000s. Scrolling through, I thought it was a poster for an ICP movie.
positive · AI labelView post →Listening to an interview with James McAvoy about California Schemin' a film based on the true story of two Scottish rappers who only found success when they pretended to be from US and it's wild that there's already a really good documentary about them but's never mentioned.
neutral · AI labelView post →CLASH Film #17: The latest from art house auteur Jim Jarmusch, horror flick Undertone + remarkable true story California Schemin' www.clashmusic.com/features/cla...
neutral · AI labelView post →Hi, @sdedwards89.bsky.social here with the #FilmRoundup! Our #FilmoftheWeek this week is Lord Asriel's directorial debut California Schemin'. Plus, there's more lies in rom-com You Me & Tuscany and family connections in Father Mother Sister Brother ^SE geekybrummie.com/film/film-ro...
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy speaks ahead of California Schemin' Glasgow premiere www.thenational.scot/news/2591795...
neutral · AI labelView post →We can't quite believe this is our last review from @glasgowfilmfest.bsky.social 🥹 James McAvoy's California Schemin' reminds us that "the most compelling stories often come from the places the industry ignores." #FilmSky @studiocanal.co.uk #GFF26 www.moviescramble.co.uk/2026/03/08/c...
neutral · AI labelView post →New poster unveiled for James McAvoy’s directorial debut ‘CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’’. The film premieres in theaters April 10. #CaliforniaSchemin #JamesMcAvoy
neutral · AI labelView post →I walked past James McAvoy on my way to work last year standing outside HMV while he was filming his upcoming movie California Schemin'
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy's directorial debut, CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN', currently in post-production, will be showing a promo at European Film Market (EFM) on Feb. 13-19. deadline.com/2025/02/cali...
neutral · AI labelView post →Just watched California Schemin' based on the true life stories of Dundonian rappers Gavin Bain & Billy Boyd. A bit of a mess of a film in places but stand-out acting by Samuel Bottomley & Séamus McLean Ross as the two rappers. And some great Dundee backdrops including the Tay Rail Bridge.
neutral · AI labelView post →It's Battle of the Music Biopics: California Schemin' vs Michael. Who do we think will win? Listen to this month's Film Feeder to find out! Also featuring me referencing Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and comparing Mother's Pride to Bo Burnham's Country Song! (no you aren't getting context for this)
neutral · AI labelView post →★★★ James McAvoy's directing career gets off to an entertaining start in California Schemin': Helen Hawkins reviews a feelgood true story about the Scottish rappers who hoaxed the music industry www.theartsdesk.com/film/califor...
neutral · AI labelView post →I had a great time with James McAvoy's directorial debut California Schemin', a hilarious, entertaining film based on an unbelievable true story. Seamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley are terrific together as the Scottish rap duo Silibil N' Brains. Review: missflicks.com/2026/04/08/c...
positive · AI labelView post →Final @glasgowfilmfest.bsky.social film: the excellent CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' (2026, dir. James McAvoy). A real life story of two Dundee lads who convinced everyone they were Californian rappers. Very funny, heartfelt without being schmaltzy, & importantly: Dundee looks great on the big screen!
positive · AI labelView post →GFF2026 Review: California Schemin' intheirownleague.com/2026/03/08/g... -The directoral debut for #jamesmcavoy and we're all here for it! Read all about it at the League! #glasgowfilmfestival #scotlandforever
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy attends the Glasgow Film Festival premiere of California Schemin', his directorial debut, at the Glasgow Film Theatre on Sunday 𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘌𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺/𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy visits iconic Celtic bar as delighted staff share snap with Hollywood star when he visited the Brazen Head on Cathcart Road earlier this week (Fri., Nov. 29). He has been enjoying a return home while filming his latest movie, California Schemin'. www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
neutral · AI labelView post →Movie Diary - Tow, California Schemin', Evil Dead Burn, The Thicket, Supergirl, I Love My Dad, Lorne, etc. narrowcast.blogspot.com/2026/10/movi...
neutral · AI labelView post →Movie TV Tech Geeks #Movie #CaliforniaSchemin James McAvoy on How 2,000 Strangers Helped Make California Schemin’ http://dlvr.it/TVtZKk
neutral · AI labelView post →Strongly recommend watching the film California Schemin'. Went to see it at the cinema with my son yesterday. Audacious and enthralling true story about two young rappers from Dundee wanting to break out. Great performances. Really enjoyed it!
positive · AI labelView post →Top New Release California Schemin' (15) 7.1 Top U/PG Hoppers (PG) 8.5 Top 12A Project Hail Mary 8.7 Top 15/18 The Drama (15) 7.8 Film To Avoid Mother's Pride (12A) 5.3
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy's directorial debut, #CaliforniaSchemin is in UK cinemas tomorrow 🎶🏴 Here's the @moviescramble.bsky.social review from @glasgowfilmfest.bsky.social #FilmSky www.moviescramble.co.uk/2026/03/08/c...
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin' - a lovely little film with a lot of charm, wit and heart. Based on a true story and good enough to take any criticism even
positive · AI labelView post →I took myself to the cinema to see California Schemin' 🎤 letterboxd.com/notnixon/film/...
neutral · AI labelView post →#2026cinema #3 California Schemin' (2026) - 8/10 DCA, Dundee (28 March) (Preview) Very condensed retelling of the Silibil'n'Brainz hip hop scam which manages to be funny, a lovely story and about a friendship lost. "Based on a true lie" so best not to read too much of the film into real life!
positive · AI labelView post →While I'm currently on a two-week break from reviews, here's what I've got planned for when I come back from March 7th up until April 12th! Hoppers and The Bride (double review) Reminders of Him Project Hail Mary The Magic Faraway Tree The Super Mario Galaxy Movie California Schemin'
neutral · AI labelView post →First Trailer and Poster for James McAvoy’s CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ www.themoviewaffler.com/2025/12/firs... #CaliforniaSchemin #trailers #film #movies #JamesMcAvoy
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin - movie trailer: https://teaser-trailer.com/movie/california-schemin/ Directed by James McAvoy Starring Seamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley, James McAvoy, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell, Amber Anderson, James Corden #CaliforniaScheminMovie #CaliforniaSchemin #SeamusMcLeanRoss
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin - movie trailer: teaser-trailer.com/movie/califo... Directed by James McAvoy Starring Seamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley, James McAvoy, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell, Amber Anderson, James Corden #CaliforniaScheminMovie #CaliforniaSchemin #SeamusMcLeanRoss
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy Sucker-Punched by Random Man at Bar While in Toronto Debuting New Film “California Schemin' share.google/vO9uXmH2iFix...
neutral · AI labelView post →My most anticipated movies for #TIFF25 below. What are yours? - Left-Handed Girl (gotta rep Taiwan! Sean Baker will do it justice) - Dinner With Friends (love a hangout movie) - California Schemin' (Scots pretending to be American hip-hop artists? 😂) - Wake Up Dead Man (love the #KnivesOut movies)
neutral · AI labelView post →My one isn't out yet but it's James McAvoy's movie California Schemin' about the biggest hoax in the hip hop industry and the guys were from my hometown Other than that, apparently there's a movie set here called Schemers
neutral · AI labelView post →8 times Glasgow became a movie set as Hollywood descended on the city, including James McAvoy's directorial debut with California Schemin'. www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy is seen for the first time on the Glasgow set of his new film California Schemin' about hoax rappers Silibil N' Brains - as he makes his directorial debut www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar...
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy at Barras Market as Glasgow-born film star makes directorial debut on California Schemin'. www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
neutral · AI labelView post →21st movie of 2026: California Schemin'. Let down by a drawn out melodramatic third act but overall a crowd pleaser. The youthful energy and specificity of time, place, and relationship in the beginning make it fun. James McAvoy is an actor's director, providing ample closeups for the young leads.
neutral · AI labelView post →One Minute Movie Review: California Schemin' 🎥🏴🎤 #CaliforniaSchemin #movie #film #fyp Find me on @letterboxd: aliyalangley boxd.it/4mv7t No. 329 This film tells the true story of Silibil N' Brains, a rap duo from Scotland, who pretended to be American in order to get a record deal.
neutral · AI labelView post →Two Scottish rappers fooled the music world by posing as Americans. 🎤 Their wild rise and fall is now a movie. www.liveadnews.com/2026/10/cali... #CaliforniaSchemin #JamesMcAvoy #MusicScam
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin’ is projected to ring up $18,659 during its opening weekend from five domestic locations. www.the-numbers.com/movie/Califo... #BoxOffice #CaliforniaSchemin @thenumbers.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin’ opened its run with an estimated $7,051 on Friday across five domestic theaters, marking the start of its theatrical debut. www.the-numbers.com/movie/Califo... #BoxOffice #CaliforniaSchemin
neutral · AI labelView post →Throwback Thursday: Moderated by Matt: 2025 Toronto Film Festival premiere of "California Schemin" to interview James McAvoy (Actor/Director). We hope to interview him again in Toronto this year. youtu.be/1QxdNXJGDxU?... #californiaschemin #JamesMcAvoy #moderatedbymatt #tiff
neutral · AI labelView post →Every time I watch a feature film in 2026. No. 115, “California Schemin’” (2025) this afternoon at Winter Garden Cinema, #Rothesay, Isle of #Bute. www.imdb.com/title/tt29549490/ #MyMovies2026 #CaliforniaSchemin ⭐️⭐️⭐️
neutral · AI labelView post →'California Schemin’': James McAvoy's Director Debut Sets October Release Date!!! #CaliforniaSchemin, #JamesMcAvoy, #LucyHalliday, #SamuelBottomley, #SéamusMcLeanRoss https://movizark.com/2026/04/27/california-schemin-james-mcavoys-director-debut-sets-october-release-date/
neutral · AI labelView post →Billy Boyd (Silibil) on California Schemin' & the Real Story Behind the Movie youtu.be/XKKl32Cb6U8 #californiaschemin
neutral · AI labelView post →Based very loosely on a true story (or lie!), this tells the story of two Dundonian rappers - Gavin (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) - as they strive to escape the mundanity of their call-centre jobs and take their own earthy brand of street-poetry to an unreceptive music industry. They have tried all of the traditional methods of getting noticed, but it is now at the point where even record company receptionists are hanging up on them. That is when they hit on a idea. Why not…
neutral · AI labelView post →35/100: California Schemin' : Real life story, gets made into a book and documentary then gets made into a movie... It's a decent watch, but I think the documentary is better purely because it pays up how unbelievable the whole story is. Such a time capsule of a pre social media time.
neutral · AI labelView post →#2026reads #9 Straight Outta Scotland by Gavin Bain (library loan) The basis of the California Schemin' film. The elements of the film are all in here but it's fascinating to see how some of these have been changed.
neutral · AI labelView post →[Cineworld Jersey] It's New Film Friday! Catch California Schemin' (15) & Undertone (15) playing NOW! Instead of bringing your ID, use YOTI... https://www.facebook.com/CineJersey/posts/pfbid02NWpMCxduvNrDBx4akSRxFFaxqZT6SsPnD42vp9MFVUW2kaweihLgrhkjwpJvbDdQl
neutral · AI labelView post →1 Project Hail Mary 12A 2 Hoppers PG 3 The Drama 15 4 The Magic Faraway Tree U 5 California Schemin' 15 6 Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come 15 7 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie PG 8 You, Me & Tuscany 12A 9 Reminders Of Him 12A 10 Undertone 15 11 Mother's Pride 12A
neutral · AI labelView post →I had a great time with James McAvoy's directorial debut California Schemin', a hilarious, entertaining film based on an unbelievable true story. Seamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley are terrific together as the Scottish rap duo Silibil N' Brains. Review: missflicks.com/2026/04/08/c...
positive · AI labelView post →James McAvoy makes one hell of a directorial debut with the fiercely entertaining and complex music biopic CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN'! Read my review before it arrives in cinemas April 10! @studiocanal.co.uk @studiocanal.com filmfeeder.co.uk/film-reviews...
positive · AI labelView post →"A confident and assured directorial debut for McAvoy" Click the link to read our ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ review for director James McAvoy's music biopic California Schemin', out in UK cinemas April 10! @studiocanal.co.uk @studiocanal.com filmfeeder.co.uk/film-reviews...
neutral · AI labelView post →It's funny how two Scottish actors have their directorial film debut both coming out this April with California Schemin' and Glenrothan.
neutral · AI labelView post →#NowWatching #CaliforniaSchemin
neutral · AI labelView post →Before seeing James McAvoy's California Schemin' watch this documentary from 2013 by the brilliant Jeanie Finlay. www.theguardian.com/film/2013/se...
neutral · AI labelView post →COMPETITION - Win tickets to a preview screening of CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' - the new movie from director James McEvoy --> www.movies.ie/competition-...
neutral · AI labelView post →California Schemin’ – Watch the new trailer for the directorial debut of James McAvoy here https://bit.ly/3Od35i7 #CaliforniaSchemin #JamesMcAvoy #film
neutral · AI labelView post →James McAvoy's directorial debut, California Schemin', will have its UK premiere as the closing film at Glasgow Film Fesitival 2026 (GFF26). More details at www.cinemabang.com/glasgow-film...
neutral · AI labelView post →
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