The Phoenician Scheme (2025) - Review
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© TPS Productions / Focus Features 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson
Starring: 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
Runtime: 101 min
Synopsis: The story of a family and a family business.
© TPS Productions / Focus Features 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Talking Films. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Phoenician Scheme is yet another clear example of Wes Anderson's singular vision, with the filmmaker continuing to provide space for every department to shine - from Adam Stockhausen's extravagant production design to Alexandre Desplat's witty score, and Bruno Delbonnel's immaculately aligned cinematography. However, it's in the thematic exploration where the film reaches a rare point of balance: by portraying the transformation of a man consumed by vanity and ambition into a vulnerable and redeemed father figure, the writer-director offers a genuine reflection on regret, family reconnection, and personal sacrifice. The subtle yet intentional performances by Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera reinforce that emotional core, bringing humanity to a meticulously artificial world.
