The Phoenician Scheme (2025)

The Phoenician Scheme

• See, this is why I’ve dubbed Wes Anderson as “King Wes”. He absolutely deserves that title. He’s the king of cinema. Everything he does is perfect. Agree or disagree, I don’t care. Either way, this film is an absolute masterpiece. I can understand why some people might not think so, because if you aren’t used to his style or methods, then it can maybe seem a little odd or even intimidating. But not for me. The second the Focus Features and Indian Paintbrush logos came up, I was immediately settled in, and was sucked in for every second. The story is almost Succession-like, and I’ll explain what I mean. The plot is very business-oriented, involving powerful and rich people who can be cutthroat and stern. As the film progresses, you see Zsa-Zsa Korda’s scheme unfold as he tries to get backers, all whilst he’s trying to build and maintain his relationship with his daughter. It’s a great blend of family drama and work drama, much like Succession. I also loved how spirituality and religion was used to help the characters learn about themselves and be influenced. The pacing was also smooth, with several powerful scenes of dialogue, while there still being action and comedy. I found it much funnier than I thought it would be, and even in serious moments or situations, there’s something interesting to observe and usually always something to giggle at. The cast was phenomenal as always, with several returning Anderson alumni. Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera are all one of a kind. Those three are one of the best cast trios I’ve seen in quite awhile. Bjorn is just the best character ever, with his funny accent and insect loving antics. The production design was beautiful and true to the time and setting, as was the cinematography. The color palette was unique, with a heavy presence of brown, yellow, and lighter colors that help contrast with the darker story. Every shot was crisp and could easily be hung and framed. Lastly, the score by the legendary Alexandre Desplat was extremely memorable, a little whimsical, and helps build atmosphere and tension. Overall, this is one of my favorite pieces of Wes Anderson’s work, and I can’t wait to go see it again. I would recommend it to everyone, whether you like King Wes or not. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!