--- title: "The Phoenician Scheme: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-phoenician-scheme/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-phoenician-scheme" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Phoenician Scheme (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 19 reviews: 15 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like The Phoenician Scheme, and a good many call it a return to form for Wes Anderson after Asteroid City, with a tighter story and a smaller cast than his recent work. The praise clusters on Benicio del Toro, whose deadpan tycoon is admired almost everywhere, and on Mia Threapleton as his daughter, who is singled out even by reviews that dislike the film around her. The father-daughter thread is where the warmer notices find their feeling; the design and world-building draw the usual admiration. The reservations are about the story: several find it flimsy or episodic, with too many stars given too little to do, and a few say Anderson’s ironic distance leaves the emotion thin. The spread is wide. The Times finds it his least engaged film, and Vulture says it fails to sell its redemption arc, while Little White Lies ranks it among his funniest. ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 5/5/5. 18 May 2025. A charming arms dealer heads on the road to redemption in this pristine shot of pure pleasure. It is one of Anderson's funniest, most madcap adventures yet, with a perfect climactic gracenote of melancholy. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-phoenician-scheme) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2025. Festival review. Anderson delivers his most elaborate creation yet in this high-wire story of an eccentric tycoon planning an infrastructural spree. Benicio del Toro steals the show as the death-defying protagonist in the director's densest confection. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/phoenician-scheme-benicio-del-toro-steals-show-death-defying-tycoon-wes-andersons-latest-caper) ## The New York Times — Alissa Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic sees the film as Wes Anderson's intricately designed inquiry into goodness and the protagonist's soul rather than its plot. Del Toro's performance as the shady tycoon is singled out as perfect. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/movies/the-phoenician-scheme-review.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic finds it a delightful celebration of the art of the deal and a charming robber-baron in an era that usually vilifies capitalism. The intricate, dazzling world-building and the pleasure of being swindled by Anderson’s craft are singled out. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-05-29/phoenician-scheme-review-benicio-del-toro-scarlett-johansson-wes-anderson-jeffrey-wright) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 4/5. 18 May 2025. Wes Anderson's latest is a quaint tale of industrial espionage and a father-daughter story, enjoyable for fans with a rich tapestry of talent and beautiful design. It is still an enjoyable doodle from Anderson. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/the-phoenician-scheme-review/) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic calls it Anderson’s most emotional and sentimental film, drilling down into the father-daughter relationship amid abundant plot and characters. The jubilantly exquisite design and the story of a ruthless man desperate for his daughter's love are highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/06/09/the-phoenician-scheme-movie-review) ## Time Out — Kaleem Aftab Rating 4/5. 16 May 2025. Wes Anderson spins an action-packed espionage caper with a touch of magic, blending signature style with film noir and action beats. The film rewards as a meticulously detailed puzzle when the full picture comes together. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-phoenician-scheme-review-2025) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2025. Benicio del Toro and Wes Anderson unite for an espionage comedy-drama where the antihero confronts moral failings and shortcomings as a father against a stunning visual backdrop. What is lacking is a grander idea that would help the Scheme really soar. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-phoenician-scheme-review-benicio-del-toro-and-wes-anderson-unite-for-espionage-comedy-drama/5204703.article) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Rating C+. 20 May 2025. The review calls it a minor, fussy comedy of industry that leans on Anderson's visual style and comedic timing but lacks the richer emotional dimensions of his best work, with an episodic structure that feels shallow. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-phoenician-scheme-review) ## The Observer — Ellen E Jones Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2025. Anderson’s finicky style and ironic distance leave the heart and brain starved despite striking tableaux and some flourishing performances like Michael Cera’s. It remains a delightful diversion but lacks deeper grounding. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/film-reviews-the-phoenician-scheme-mongrel-when-the-light-breaks-lilo-stitch-and-fountain-of-youth) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2025. Festival review. The critic finds the film misses the big picture, trading emotional core for grander ideas and failing to sell its high-stakes redemption arc despite strong granular details and performances. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/the-phoenician-scheme-wes-anderson-movie-review.html) ## Empire — Iana Murray 18 May 2025. Festival review. It is textbook Wes Anderson with tighter focus than recent films, impressive world-building and Michael Cera as a standout sidekick. Anderson is at his most fun when bending his own rules while retaining his signature style. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-phoenician-scheme/) ## Evening Standard — Jo-Ann Titmarsh 18 May 2025. Festival review. Del Toro is mesmerising and the father-daughter dynamic with Threapleton adds emotional meat, but the story feels flimsy with too many underused stars and the film ultimately does not soar. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-andersons-film-just-doesn-t-soar-b1228420.html) ## Financial Times Rating ★★★☆☆. 21 May 2025. The film toys with action elements like explosions in a wry inside joke while remaining very much an Anderson film, with likeable whimsies but too many characters feeling like an afterthought. It works better as comedy than as a father-daughter tale. [Read the review](https://ft.com/content/885f7c42-1bad-4944-afd4-7983e1feb413) ## The Guardian 18 May 2025. Festival review. The film is enjoyable and executed with Anderson’s usual dispatch but feels less visually detailed and inspired than his earlier work, with less sympathy for the characters. Mia Threapleton delivers a likable lead turn as the standout. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/18/the-phoenician-scheme-review-mia-threapleton-shines-in-wes-andersons-muted-new-confection) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye 18 May 2025. Festival review. The critic praises Benicio del Toro's lead performance and sees the film as a return to Anderson's emotionally grounded storytelling, highlighting the father-daughter relationship and its humanistic core amid the director's signature style. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-benicio-del-toro-1236220124/) ## The Independent — Geoffrey Macnab 18 May 2025. Festival review. The critic calls it one of Anderson’s most enrapturing recent works, witty with arcane references and juvenile humour. It is a pictorial treat with strong contrast between fast-moving events and slow, deadpan characters, plus excellent work from Del Toro. [Read the review](https://independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/phoenician-scheme-review-cannes-wes-anderson-b2752520.html) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland 19 May 2025. It is Anderson at his dark, melancholic best, with real depth in the fractured family relationships and a beautiful father-daughter reconciliation at its core. The droll tone and surprising twists keep it funny and engaging despite some byzantine elements. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-dark-melancholic-best-3702301) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin 22 May 2025. This is Anderson’s most Andersonian film to date, tender, witty and wondrous, with a dreamlike quality and sui generis lead performance from Benicio del Toro. It delivers a complete delight full of treats and hyper-real scenes. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/the-phoenician-scheme-wes-anderson-review/) ## The Times Rating ★★☆☆☆. 18 May 2025. Festival review. The film is Anderson’s least engaged despite its sombre tone, with bare frames and little for the head or heart amid skits and cameos. Mia Threapleton shines as the sensational discovery in a quiet, charismatic turn. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-phoenician-scheme-film-review-new-wes-anderson-nfg2znnxb) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 18 May 2025. Festival review. The critic describes the film as a dense but undeniably enjoyable saga that doubles as a moving father-daughter tale while exploring the robber-baron spirit of 20th-century capitalism. The meticulous compositions and del Toro’s dignified performance are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-1236402578/) ## Paste — Jason Gorber Rating 8.4/10. 18 May 2025. Festival review. Celebrates the film's visual perfection, playful whimsy, and sublime details in every frame as another fine Wes Anderson fantasy. Singles out Mia Threapleton's dour yet captivating performance and the radical frivolity amid dark themes for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/wes-anderson/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-cannes-premiere-benicio-del-toro-performances-mia-threapleton) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating 8/10. 18 May 2025. Festival review. Praises the film as a return to form with a heartfelt father-daughter story and strong performances from del Toro and Threapleton, while noting Anderson's evolving style and new cast members. Singles out the genuine emotional core and earned ending for praise, while complaining about overly verbose espionage dialogue. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-benicio-del-toro/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2025. Festival review. The film marks a welcome return to form for Anderson after Asteroid City, with Benicio Del Toro dominating as the shady industrialist Zsa-Zsa Korda in a refreshingly focused story. Del Toro's flawless delivery of Anderson's dialogue and the strong turns from newcomers like Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2025/05/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-benicio-del-toro-cannes-1236401800/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4/5. 26 May 2025. The critic calls it Wes Anderson’s best film in over a decade and a delightful return to form with narrative propulsion and tension missing from recent works. They single out the emotional spine in the father-daughter relationship alongside the visual confections and whimsy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-best-movie/) ## /Film — Bill Bria Rating 8/10. 20 May 2025. The critic calls it a breezy, hilarious Wes Anderson romp that returns to road-movie mode, praising the strong ensemble performances led by Benicio Del Toro's magnetic turn and Mia Threapleton's nuanced work. They note the cartoonish violence and meta elements about filmmaking add entertainment but can feel vague in their satirical targets. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1864644/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 4/5. 21 May 2025. The critic describes it as a superior Wes Anderson confection with gleaming retro surfaces but enough emotional depth underneath to leave an impression. They single out the poised performance by newcomer Mia Threapleton as a key counterpoint to the quirkier elements and the fun bursts of action. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson-michael-cera-3863764) ## The Ringer — Lex Pryor Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 2025. Views the film as a quirky rumination on a monstrous capitalist seeking redemption through his daughter, emphasizing Anderson's sincerity and tenderness toward flawed characters. Singles out the central theme of devotion and the gory yet amiable portrayal of moneyed ambitions for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/05/movies/phoenician-scheme-review-analysis-meaning-explainined-wes-anderson-new-movie) ## The Wrap — William Bibbiani Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2025. Festival review. Anderson crafts another impeccable diorama that tackles capitalism and spirituality in a breezy yet meaningful way, finding value in balancing extremes rather than choosing between them. The focused smaller cast, especially Del Toro's captivating lead performance, is highlighted as a strength in this challenging but friendly work. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-phoenician-scheme-review-wes-anderson/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-phoenician-scheme.md