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California Schemin' 2025

Movie · 107 min · English · September 6, 2025

Directed by James McAvoyWritten by Elaine Gracie, Archie Thomson

Starring Samuel Bottomley, Séamus McLean Ross, James McAvoy, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell

California Schemin' (presented as California $chemin') represents a 2025 biographical musical picture crafted by James McAvoy during his first time behind the camera. The motion picture features Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross portraying the Scottish impostor rap team Silibil N' Brains, comprising Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, and is rooted in Bain's 2010 publication California Schemin': How Two Lads from Scotland Conned the Music Industry.

California Schemin' made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2025. It had a theatrical release in the United Kingdom through StudioCanal on 10 April 2026, and was distributed in the United States by Magenta Light Studios on 9 October 2026. The production garnered favorable reviews from critics.

Narrative

This movie recounts the real-life narrative of Silibil N' Brains, an urban rap team originating from Dundee who, throughout a three-year span, fabricated their American identities to gain credibility within the record business.

Actors
Samuel Bottomley portrays Billy "Silibil" Boyd
Séamus McLean Ross embodies Gavin "Brains" Bain
James McAvoy takes on the role of Anthony Reid
Lucy Halliday plays Mary Boyd
Rebekah Murrell appears as Tessa
James Corden plays a music executive
Jennifer Winn portrays Hayley

Creation
James McAvoy was said to be developing a cinematic portrayal of the fake-Californian rap group Silibil N' Brains, alternatively recognized as Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd from Dundee in Scotland, during October 2023.

The project is produced by Danny Page from Homefront Productions and Michael Mendelsohn from Patriot Pictures. It originates from Bain's 2010 memoir California Schemin': How Two Lads from Scotland Conned the Music Industry (subsequently republished as Straight Outta Scotland) and was adapted by Elaine Gracie and Archie Thomson. Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross were selected to portray Boyd and Bain respectively. McAvoy also performs a minor role in the film. The production received funding from Screen Scotland.

Principal filming commenced on 29 October 2024. Locations for shooting encompassed Dundee and Glasgow.

Distribution
Bankside Films managed global pre-sales for the film in September 2024; notable purchasers included StudioCanal, which secured rights for the U.K. and Ireland. California Schemin' opened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2025.

The picture was exhibited at the 20th Rome Film Festival in October 2025.
Also shown at the Gasparilla Film Festival in March 2026. web|url=gasparillafilmfestival.com Additionally, it received a special showing at the Gasparilla International Film Festival on March 5, 2026, and was additionally presented at the Glasgow Film Festival on March 8, 2026.

In the United Kingdom, it had a theatrical release on 10 April 2026. In March 2026, Magenta Light Studios obtained the U.S. distribution rights. It was made available in the United States on 9 October 2026.

Response
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|92||71|California Schemin' surpasses its foreseeable nature through its tonal development from lighthearted comedy to emotionally impactful drama and leading roles that render its protagonist's journey compelling.}} Metacritic awarded the film a rating of 65 out of 100, derived from 18 reviews, reflecting "generally favorable" critiques.

See alsoThe Great Hip Hop Hoax'', a 2013 documentary recounting the tale of the same group