The Phoenician Scheme (2025) Film Review: Hysterical espionage black comedy is quintessentially Anderson
- reeltalkin'
- May 24
- 3 min read
Auteur director Wes Anderson's latest feature employs his usual ensemble cast, with plenty of recognisable names to perk interest. This delightfully bonkers tale of wealthy businessmen, resistance freedom fighters, and determined assassins is stuffed full of every stylistic perk in the maker's book, which may prove polarising for many casual moviegoers and critics alike.
The general premise of the narrative follows wealthy tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro), who, despite fathering nine sons, appoints his only daughter as sole heir to his estate. Liesl (Mia Threapleton) has joined the sisterhood as a nun and is reluctant to take on her estranged father's inheritance and take part in his latest business scheme, also questioning whether her father was responsible for her mother's death.
Similar to Anderson's previous works, the film takes on an episodic structure with the use of onscreen text cards indicating different chapters and settings that the characters journey to. There are many intricacies to the ambitious plot, however, the movie is paced well and moves between set pieces with a natural ease of story progression. The text indicators do benefit the complex narrative so that all of the different elements are clear to keep track of.
As is to be expected with Anderson, the film is visually stunning: beautifully imaginative with an inviting, lush pastel colour palette and a methodical, extremely detailed set design. Nearly every shot could be a painting on the wall, with the 4:3 ratio exuding a doll house aesthetic, which rewards viewers who like to pay close attention to background props and extras. His reliable, quirky style is on full display with a completely unique story at the heart of it.
As usual, there is no shortage of irreverent humour, with the typical dry line delivery dominating the screenplay, whilst also experimenting with hilarious dark comedy and surprising moments of graphic violence, which complement the deadpan tone of the film well. Without delving into spoiler territory, there is a particularly memorable encounter between Korda and his half-brother, Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch), in the final act, which is purely playful, ludicrous fun, almost feeling like a whimsical stage play with its cheeky charm.
The abundance of daft antics and creative characters is embodied by a solid ensemble cast, with every big name given time to shine in their own respective roles. Mia, daughter of Kate Winslet and film director Jim Threapleton, projects a strong screen presence and builds an intriguing rapport with her co-lead, Del Toro, with the two opposing personalities bouncing off each other well.
One of the funniest sequences of the film features Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston as locomotive business partners who challenge Korda to a basketball game, encapsulating all the endearing silliness and bizarre nature of Anderson's creations. There are many more familiar faces to get a kick out of as we journey through each chapter. Cumberbatch's pantomime get-up, complete with fake beard and bushy eyebrows, is yet another dash of hysteria to add to the pot, and it is always nice to see regular collaborator Scarlett Johansson, despite playing a minor role here.
Due to the complicated nature of the plot and the heavily stylised presentation, the film can become overwhelming and exhausting at points, particularly because there is so much to examine onscreen and keep up with. There is also a lack of emotional depth for the characters, which will understandably likely be a major issue for many viewers. However, for those who enjoy Anderson's meticulous eye for detail, charming screenplays, and creative visuals, his latest feature should satisfy those looking for a fun romp that does not at all take itself too seriously.
Check out the trailer for The Phoenician Scheme (2025) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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