No two Wes Anderson movies are quite the same. Of course, the Houston-born filmmaker’s taste for symmetrical compositions and dry wit has become synonymous with the whimsical body of work he has crafted over the past three decades. Still, each finely detailed story has its distinct spirit and sentiment. It has not always been obvious where the inspirations for Anderson’s original stories derive from, with Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) being far easier to digest than, say, The French Dispatch (2021) or Asteroid City (2023). However, with his latest feature film, The Phoenician Scheme (2025), Anderson makes his muse clear to viewers.
The Phoenician Scheme is dedicated to Wes Anderson’s late father-in-law, Fouad Malouf, a Lebanese construction engineer who the film’s larger-than-life protagonist is modeled after. In 1950, we first find Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda (Benicio del Toro), one of the richest men in Europe, amid his sixth plane crash. Known for being a serial evader of death, Zsa-zsa rises from the smouldering crash site battered and bruised, yet unbothered. This most recent near-death experience prompts him to choose an heir to his fortune and industrialist empire. Thus, Zsa-zsa summons his estranged 20-year-old daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), to take over the family business. Now a fledgling nun, Sister Liesl holds a palpable disdain for her father after six years of his absence.
An Electric Ensemble of Tycoons, Socialites, and Assassins
On top of his numerous injuries, Zsa-zsa is also facing a monetary crisis, which has halted the infrastructural plan for Phoenicia, an ancient civilization located in parts of modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Over the last three decades, his developmental plans included the construction of tunnels, waterways, and a hydroelectric dam to increase the efficiency of Phoenicia’s trade route. With a scheme to recuperate the finances needed to complete the project laid out step-by-step in a sequence of shoe boxes (which correspond to the chapters of the story), Zsa-zsa implores Liesl and self-professed bug specialist turned private tutor, Bjørn Lund (Michael Cera), to embark on a cross-region quest to financially sway each of his business partners.
Zsa-zsa’s myriad of wealthy associates round out yet another star-studded ensemble cast from Wes Anderson. These unlikely professional allies all have their unique quirks and charms. To name a few notable familiar faces from Anderson’s stable, we have the two tycoons Leland and Reagan (respectively played by Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston), the Arabian Prince Farouk (Riz Ahmed), a shipping magnate named Marty (Jeffery Wright), Zsa-zsa’s second cousin Hilda (Scarlet Johansson), and his elusive half-brother, Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch). Lastly, Richard Ayoade gets to have some fun as Sergio, the leader of the terrorist group after Zsa-zsa.
Exquisite Production Design Comes at the Cost of Cultural Depth
Needless to say, The Phoenician Scheme does not fall short of expectations, visually. Every singular frame is a work of art in and of itself, considerably due to master production designer Adam Stockhausen raising his own bar even higher. Where many of Stockhausen’s previous collaborations with Wes Anderson have taken place in a focal location (i.e Asteroid City or The Grand Budapest Hotel), The Phonecian Scheme leaps between set pieces that span regions and delicate color palettes, Whether this be a tropical jungle plagued with quicksand or an ancient Egyptian themed mansion, each of Stockhausen’s sets are equally magnificent to behold.
While these settings are wonderful to look at, they can be rather perplexing on a conceptual level. The geographical aspects of the plot don’t always add up. That would be forgivable if the script, co-written by Anderson and frequent collaborator Roman Coppola, didn’t also fail to dive into the culture of its titular historical region. Like The French Dispatch and Isle of Dogs (2018), the location at hand is merely gorgeous set dressing for Anderson’s narrative. It’s rare to see a movie set in the Middle East that is removed from modern politics, and The Phoenician Scheme presented a chance to celebrate the diversity and richness of every stop on Zsa-zsa’s journey. Unfortunately, it falls short in this regard.
Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton Make for a Magnetic Father-Daughter Duo
Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, The Phoenician Scheme entirely revolves around Zsa-zsa Korda to the point where he is both the protagonist and self-destructive antagonist of his own tale. As a father-daughter duo, Benicio del Toro (Sicario, One Battle After Another) and newcomer Mia Threapleton (Firebrand, The Buccaneers) command the screen and work in tandem to conjure a surprisingly heartfelt relationship that subverts expectations. Liesl showcases just how much children can influence their parents, even if subtly. It is she who softens and instills morals in her corrupt father. Finally, Michael Cera (Barbie, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) being in a Wes Anderson film makes total sense. His portrayal of Bjørn is endearing, hilarious, and full of cunning surprises.
Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme is a razor-sharp black comedy, one that unfolds in a more straightforward manner than this filmmaker’s other recent projects. In this way, it feels accessible to casual audiences while still maintaining its artistic integrity and trademark whimsy. Across the board, the dynamic and earnest performances within this ensemble offer plenty of comedic variety and are the real selling point. With the only major letdown being its lack of cultural depth, The Phoenician Scheme is another stellar addition to an already iconic body of work.
The Phoenician Scheme premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival! The movie hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles on May 30 and then expands nationwide on June 6!
![THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters May 30](https://discussingfilm.net/wp-content/cache/flying-press/3381bc0601c31e76b2d4d7a24058ed4d.jpg)
Release Date: May 30, 2025.
Directed by Wes Anderson.
Screenplay by Wes Anderson.
Story by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola.
Produced by Wes Anderson, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson, & John Peet.
Executive Producers: Roman Coppola & Henning Molfenter.
Main Cast: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Bill Murray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, Tonio Arango, Aysha Joy Samuel, Mohamed Chahrour, Imke Büchel, Anna Bardorf, Imad Mardnli, & Jaime Ferkic.
Cinematographer: Bruno Delbonnel.
Composer: Alexandre Desplat.
Production Companies: Indian Paintbrush & American Empirical Pictures.
Distributor: Focus Features (U.S.) & Universal Pictures (International).
Runtime: 101 minutes.
Rated PG-13.
