The Phoenician Scheme
Movie, 2025, The 2020s, Set in A tycoon and his daughter
The Phoenician Scheme is #13 of 13 in release order and #13 of 13 in chronological order in the Wes Anderson.
The story
Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
The Phoenician Scheme recap
The Phoenician Scheme (2025) follows a ruthless arms dealer who recruits his estranged daughter, a novice nun, to finish a vast infrastructure project. In 1950, Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda (Benicio del Toro) survives his sixth assassination attempt and turns to his daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), whom he has barely known. A consortium of governments drives up the price of materials to bankrupt him, so Korda, Liesl and his Norwegian entomologist assistant Bjørn (Michael Cera) travel to squeeze his partners for more money, using swindles, blackmail and threats. Along the way Korda has visions of a heavenly court judging him, and admits a role in the death of Liesl's mother, killed by his half-brother Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch). Bjørn proves to be a spy who falls for Liesl. Wes Anderson directs from a story with Roman Coppola. The most recent film here, it follows Asteroid City and Henry Sugar.
The Phoenician Scheme ending explained
The Phoenician Scheme ends with Korda broke but reconciled with Liesl, running a small bistro. Nubar refuses to cover the shortfall, so Korda puts his whole fortune into the project and decides to pay his workers. At the investors' presentation, Nubar admits he was behind the attempts on Korda's life and attacks him, and Korda kills him. Korda's brief marriage to his cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johansson) is annulled, Bjørn proposes to Liesl with the returned ring, and father and daughter end the day playing cards.
Where to watch The Phoenician Scheme
The Phoenician Scheme is streaming on Peacock in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 77%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, the latest.
- Chronological order: after The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, the last.
Cast
- Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda
- Mia Threapleton as Sister Liesl
- Michael Cera as Bjorn Lund
- Riz Ahmed as Prince Farouk
- Tom Hanks as Leland
- Bryan Cranston as Reagan
- Mathieu Amalric as Marseille Bob
- Richard Ayoade as Sergio
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar
- Jeffrey Wright as Marty
- Scarlett Johansson as Cousin Hilda
- Rupert Friend as Excalibur
Directed by Wes Anderson.