I literally saw the very last showing of The Phoenician Scheme at my local theatre. To be honest, it is impressive; it lasted as long as it did during its theatrical run. The thing is, this is the kind of movie I probably need to see again to truly know how I feel about it. But I wanted to share my first thoughts on Wes Anderson’s latest wacky movie.
Where to Watch The Phoenician Scheme
The Phoenician Scheme was released on May 30, 2025. You can stream the film from Peacock.
The Phoenician Scheme Review: Wes Anderson’s Latest Wacky Film
I literally saw the very last showing of The Phoenician Scheme at my local theatre. To be honest, it is impressive; it lasted as long as it did during its theatrical run. The thing is, this is the kind of movie I probably need to see again to truly know how I feel about it. But I wanted to share my first thoughts on Wes Anderson’s latest wacky movie.
Plot Summary: Liesl and Korda’s Unusual Family Dynamics
Liesl is not what you would expect the daughter of a man who is pretty much a dictator to be. Leisl is played by Mia Threapleton, and she is a nun, estranged from her father, and has a rocky relationship with him. Well, after one of his near-death experiences, Korda decides that he wants his daughter to take over from him, and this puts the pair together, where they try… well, kind of try to make it all work.
Star-Studded Cast Elevates the Chaos
In typical Wes Anderson fashion, there are a million other things going on around all of this. This is where the ensemble cast, which features Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Riz Ahmed, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch, shines! To be honest, there are far more great and talented actors than those I just mentioned, but we would be here all day if I listed everyone who made this movie work.
Is The Phoenician Scheme Worth Watching?
This is going to sound like such a cop out, but the fact of the matter is, if you like Wes Anderson’s style, chances are you will have a fun time with this. For me I liked this, but it is certainly not one of my favorite Wes Anderson movies. Stuff being frantic and manic is something that many of his movies have, but this one kind of missed the mark for me a little bit. However, as is the case with most of his movies, it takes a couple of viewings to truly know if you like it or not.
