California Schemin'
| Release Date: November 30, -0001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
63
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
ColliderTania HussainSep 15, 2025
McAvoy creates a story of ambition, prejudice, and performance that gives Scotland’s underdog spirit its due. It isn’t a flawless directorial debut and stumbles in places, but it plays like an anthem for outsiders with a dream. Read full review
80
The IndependentClarisse Loughrey
As light as McAvoy’s touch might be – this is a film, after all, that features a James Corden cameo – there’s more to do here than simply cheer the boys on and hope they get one over on the Oxbridge elite. There are bigger questions to ask, and California Schemin’ is willing to ask them. Read full review
75
TheWrapMatthew CreithSep 11, 2025
Director McAvoy is skilled at honing in on the details, never wavering in his ambition to tell a small tale about friendship, its pitfalls, and the lies that result in hurting others. Read full review
75
The PlaylistGregory EllwoodSep 11, 2025
California Schemin’ is an impressive calling card that suggests McAvoy shouldn’t make this project a one-time wonder. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenSep 19, 2025
With a charismatic cast headed by Seamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley, California Schemin’ is a nimbly paced yarn that may not have set out to reinvent the wheel, but makes for a buoyant excursion nonetheless. Read full review
70
Screen RantRachel LaBonteSep 11, 2025
It's the kind of eccentric true story that seems tailor-made for a movie, and McAvoy brings it to life with plenty of high-spirited energy. Read full review
70
Screen DailyRobert DanielsSep 11, 2025
A memorable take on the hiphop movie. Read full review
67
IndieWireKate ErblandSep 11, 2025
It’s fun enough at first, thanks to McAvoy’s energetic direction and strong turns from its young stars. Read full review
60
The GuardianRichard LawsonSep 11, 2025
California Schemin’ is, in the end, a kindhearted film about integrity, about art for art’s sake, about embracing one’s roots. Read full review
60
Time OutPhil de Semlyen
McAvoy gets good performances from his cast, with Ross a boyish yet broken presence as the spiralling Bain, but ultimately the journey is more satisfying than the destination. Read full review
60
The Travers TakePeter Travers
Until predictability seeps in from the edges, first-time director James McEvoy offers an invitation to a rap party that’s hard to resist as two Scottish MCs fake their way to the hip-hop top as Americans. Read full review
60
EmpireLeila Latif
Familiar biopic beats hold it back, but strong performances and McAvoy’s sincere direction make it a promising debut, balancing humour and heart. Read full review
50
Little White LiesDavid Jenkins
There’s an interesting metaphor here for McAvoy’s own career as a Scottish man who earns a crust by perfecting a range of accents and character types. Yet its feelgood arc is all a little predictable and soft-edged. Read full review
40
Next Best PictureJ Don BirnamSep 11, 2025
In its attempt to create extreme good vs. extreme evil characters, California Schemin’ schemes one click too far. Read full review
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