The Phoenician Scheme
2025
Certificate 15 – ACTION/COMEDY
Director: Wes Anderson
With Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton
Runtime: 101 mins
After surviving his sixth plane crash, wealthy magnate Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as sole heir to his estate, although as a novice nun her moral principles are in stark contrast to his. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise to take over the economy of Phoenicia, by using exploitative slave labour and manipulating the agricultural market, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.
WHY WATCH THIS FILM? Wes Anderson’s films are always offbeat and fun..
“It is always entertaining, and delivered with the usual conviction and force but with less of the romantic extravagance than we’ve seen before, less of the childlike loneliness that has been detectable in his greatest movies.” The Guardian
“Ultimately, The Phoenician Scheme is another boldly quirky and visually striking film from Anderson. Del Toro commands the screen, while the narrative’s sharp satire of capitalism and dysfunctional families feels especially relevant. Though not without its flaws, the distinctive style and storytelling remain timeless, embracing every eccentricity and contradiction.” The Upcoming
“This is textbook Wes Anderson without falling back on old tricks. The rich world of The Phoenician Scheme can be a lot to take in, but what a view it is.” Empire