Wes Anderson Releases Star-Studded Film The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson's latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, features an intricate story about wealthy arms dealer Anatole "Zsa Zsa" Korda, played by Benicio Del Toro, who survives an assassination attempt and seeks to appoint his estranged nun daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), as heir to his empire. The film blends Anderson's signature visual style and dark comedy with a complex narrative focused on themes of death, legacy, and ethical conflicts, particularly as Liesl objects to Korda's morally questionable business practices. Despite some critiques about the film's pacing and occasional narrative wandering, critics praise Del Toro's bittersweet performance and Threapleton's luminous presence, which elevates the film. The ensemble cast also includes Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hanks, adding to the film's Hollywood allure. The story unfolds in the 1950s in the fictional region of Phoenicia, where Korda's grand infrastructure project faces sabotage and assassination attempts. Overall, The Phoenician Scheme adds to Anderson's oeuvre with visual wonder and strong performances, even if it is seen as a somewhat lesser work compared to his previous films.