The Poenician Scheme
★★★★
Wes Anderson has always been a favorite of mine. I’m still amazed that he can maintain such a distinct, instantly recognizable style, yet make each film feel fresh—like they all exist in the same whimsical universe, but with their own heartbeat.
The Phoenician Scheme might be the first time I’ve felt him lean more directly into political commentary, especially around the delicate dance of diplomacy. That sounds heavy, but Anderson balances it beautifully by diving back into his comedic bag of tricks. After the more serious tones of Asteroid City and The French Dispatch, it’s a delight to see him loosen the tie and deliver a raucous good time—while still giving us themes that connect to today’s world.
Benicio del Toro (Zsa-zsa Korda) shines in the lead, showing off some underused comedic chops. Michael Cera (Bjorn) is a revelation here, playing two distinct personalities with pitch-perfect timing—so much so that you wonder why it’s taken Anderson this long to cast him. This was also my first introduction to Mia Threapleton (Liesl), who plays the most grounded character of the bunch. Her performance felt intentionally restrained, though at times she seemed a bit adrift—but it’s hard to fault her if that was the design.
Anderson fills the film with his signature visual gags, and one in particular—a basketball scene featuring two highly esteemed actors—will forever be etched in my brain. The cartoonish bursts of violence are pure Anderson, leaning into slapstick without losing elegance. And beneath the absurdity, there’s a surprisingly touching thread about a father–daughter bond that sneaks up on you.
While The Phoenician Scheme may never crack my personal top five Anderson films, I loved its playful pacing, inventive camera work (he tries a few new tricks here to great comedic effect) and the joy it clearly brought to its cast. It might not be the best starting point for Wes Anderson newcomers, but if you’re craving a comedy with a little more depth—one that makes you laugh, think and maybe feel just a little—this is a great ticket into his world. Anderson shows no signs of slowing down, and I’m always here for whatever unique, handcrafted story he has next.
