The Phoenician Scheme (2025) – Wes Anderson (Friday’s Finest)

Although The Phoenician Scheme is the third Wes Anderson film to feature in my Friday’s Finest segment, it wasn’t one I had high hopes for going in. My hesitation was two-fold: first, I’d come across a wave of negative reviews beforehand (more on that below), and second, just as the previews began to roll, my son called me with a grievance. As I tried to talk, I was promptly shushed by those around me, and I couldn’t properly deal with the issue until after the film. Needless to say, I was anxious as the opening scenes began – not a good headspace to be in for a Wes Anderson film.

But alas, this story has a happy ending. Apart from my son’s issue being resolved thereafter – by the time the credits rolled, I was licking my chops at the thought of watching it again. I felt so affected and enlightened by what I’d seen – there’s just so much to unpack, especially at the breakneck pace of Anderson’s signature absurdity. That said, I saw it at a nearby cinema with, frankly, rubbish video and audio quality, so next time I’ll be heading to a higher-end complex and sitting closer to the screen (there’s a lot of on-screen text to catch). One thing’s for sure: this film now rounds out my personal trilogy of favourite Wes Anderson works – The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and (drumroll please… da-dah!) The Phoenician Scheme. I also enjoyed, but to a lesser extent – Rushmore, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Moonrise Kingdom.

IMDB Storyline – The Phoenician Scheme:

Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.

Warning: There are spoilers below of larger plot and character deviations in the film

Some viewers have dismissed The Phoenician Scheme as something akin to ‘pretty as a picture, but emotionally vacant like an empty parking lot‘ or that Wes Anderson has become a caricature of himself, more interested in the ‘Wes Anderson style‘ than powerful story telling.. I beg to differ. For me, this is one of Anderson’s most emotionally resonant works. Beneath its ensemble cast and intricate plotting lies a poignant exploration of a father-daughter bond, brought to life with sensitivity by Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton (Kate Winslet’s daughter). The film also charts the existential awakening of a powerful industrialist who, in the midst of executing an ambitious infrastructure project, experiences a profound internal shift – an almost spiritual reckoning reminiscent of a more self-aware Citizen Kane. He starts to embrace religion, personal relationships and demonstrate benevolence towards those less fortunate.

That’s not to infer The Phoenician Scheme doesn’t have its ha-ha comedy moments, it does and I laughed out loud many times to the detriment of those in attendance. Anderson’s unmistakable touch is everywhere, from the elaborate set design and stylised pacing to the frenetic narrative stuffed with duels, escapes, and dramatic turns. Yet for all its eccentricities, The Phoenician Scheme feels more grounded than much of his recent work. It offers a focused character journey rather than nesting tales within tales, and what it reveals is a surprisingly heartfelt meditation on faith, forgiveness, and what really matters when the facade falls away.

All the cast are great especially Benicio Del Toro as the lead as Zsa-zsa Korda. It’s my favourite performance by him although special mentions to his work in Sicario, Traffic and The Usual Suspects. I would like to give shout-outs to Michael Cera ( of ‘Juno‘ fame) in his superb supporting role and the surprise, but hilarious appearance of Benedict Cumberbatch as the villainous brother Uncle Nubar.

Wes Anderson’s films have always been hit-or-miss for many viewers, though his 2014 feature The Grand Budapest Hotel arguably stands as his most widely acclaimed, earning a slew of Academy Award nominations. While the Anderson trademarks are certainly present here, I believe The Phoenician Scheme deserves recognition in its own right. That said, I’ll likely need a second viewing to determine whether my initial excitement truly holds up – his films often take time to absorb and fully appreciate, but I’m confident that my appreciation for the film will only grow with future viewings, especially given the wealth of fascinating material on offer here.

Below is an official clip from the film, called ‘Human Rights‘. It shows Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe; Mia Threapleton as Liesl, his daughter/a nun and Michael Cera as Bjorn, their tutor. And below that is Wes Anderson discussing his new film and his unique style.

References:
1. The Phoenician Scheme – Wikipedia
2. The Phoenician Scheme – IMDB

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“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand