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The Phoenician Scheme 2025

Following the death of wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda, his only daughter, a nun, is named as the sole heir to his estate. As he begins a new venture, he and his daughter find themselves targeted by ruthless tycoons, foreign terrorists, and skilled assassins.

Following the death of wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda, his only daughter, a nun, is named as the sole heir to his estate. As he begins a new venture, he and his daughter find themselves targeted by ruthless tycoons, foreign terrorists, and skilled assassins.

Does The Phoenician Scheme have end credit scenes?

No!

The Phoenician Scheme does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for The Phoenician Scheme

See how The Phoenician Scheme is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Phoenician Scheme stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

75

Overall, The Phoenician Scheme excels in visual craftsmanship while its narrative cohesion remains uneven. Critics and viewers alike highlight the film’s meticulous design and stylized presentation as its foremost strength. Conversely, the plot often feels thin and overstuffed, with pacing that skims across story beats. Mixed character engagement and patchy dramatic momentum temper the film’s impact. Ultimately, the vivid aesthetics overshadow a narrative that never fully coheres.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Phoenician Scheme

90
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of Art & Craft, the film offers an impeccably controlled visual design and precise composition. Reviewers note the meticulous framing, measured color palettes, and ornate production elements in every scene. Cinematography and editing are repeatedly described as elegant and deliberate, reinforcing Wes Anderson’s signature style. This rigorous visual cohesion stands as the film’s most consistent achievement.

75
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film benefits from a core trio that brings warmth and nuance. Benicio Del Toro, Michael Cera, and Mia Threapleton are credited with delivering measured performances that convey subtle humor and familial tension. However, several supporting roles lack depth and emotional weight, diluting the overall resonance. The central relationship remains compelling despite peripheral unevenness.

55
Echo Score

Story & Flow

When evaluating Story & Flow, the narrative is often described as thin and overstuffed. Critics point to a loosely connected financial scheme that skims plot points with uneven pacing and occasional abrupt transitions. Some viewers appreciate the straightforward dialogue-driven approach, but many find the plot underdeveloped and lacking in thematic focus. The story framework ultimately fails to sustain consistent engagement.

85
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of Sensory Experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design are widely praised for enhancing its tonal shifts. Reviewers highlight well-timed musical cues, classical needle drops, and balanced mixing that support the deadpan delivery. Visually, the cohesive color schemes and stylized set pieces reinforce an immersive aesthetic. These sensory elements consistently elevate the formal presentation throughout the film.

65
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

When considering Rewatch Factor, the film elicits mixed intentions for subsequent viewings. Some audiences mention that its dense visual detail, layered humor, and character interactions benefit from a second viewing, revealing subtle design and narrative nuances. Others regard it as a lightweight palette cleanser with limited narrative depth, making repeated viewings less compelling. The film’s lasting appeal ultimately depends on appreciation of its stylistic elements.

Metacritic

71

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

79%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

6.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

77

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.4

From 32 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Phoenician Scheme Movie Quiz

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The Phoenician Scheme Quiz: Test your knowledge on the complex story and characters of 'The Phoenician Scheme'.

What is the main profession of the character Anatole Zsa-Zsa Korda?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Phoenician Scheme

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Read the complete plot summary of The Phoenician Scheme, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Somewhere above the High Balkan Flatlands in 1950, arms dealer Anatole Zsa-Zsa Korda, played by Benicio Del Toro, finds himself in a precarious situation. While aboard his private plane, disaster strikes when a bomb unexpectedly kills his assistant, leading to a dramatic hole opening in the aircraft. After a heated argument with the pilot, The Pilot (played by Steve Park), Zsa-Zsa makes a quick decision to eject him and crash-land the plane into a nearby cornfield. Initially thought to be dead, Zsa-Zsa is soon revealed to be alive in front of a news crew. However, during a brief period of unconsciousness, he experiences a surreal afterlife where he faces judgment from a mysterious group of individuals.

This secret organization, under the leadership of Excalibur (portrayed by Rupert Friend), investigates Zsa-Zsa’s nefarious dealings. He has earned the dubious nickname “Mr. Five Percent” due to his myriad of illegal activities, including tax evasion and bribery. Consequently, many governments are keen on eliminating Zsa-Zsa, triggering several assassination attempts against him. The organization is determined to dismantle Zsa-Zsa’s criminal enterprise for good.

Upon returning home, Zsa-Zsa seeks out his estranged daughter, Liesl (played by Mia Threapleton), a nun with whom he has a strained relationship. He also has nine sons whom he rarely sees. Zsa-Zsa implores Liesl to assist him in taking over his business as he formulates his ambitious plan known as “The Phoenician Scheme.” This controversial scheme involves taking control of various businesses in Phoenicia through unscrupulous means, including slave labor, all meticulously documented in small shoeboxes. Liesl harbors deep reservations about collaborating with her father due to his long absence and unsettling rumors of his role in her mother’s death, which he vehemently denies. They are joined by Bjorn, a Norwegian tutor played by Michael Cera, who also serves as Zsa-Zsa’s new administrative assistant. After Zsa-Zsa subjects Bjorn to a polygraph test, which he passes, Liesl reluctantly agrees to join her father’s dubious operations.

As they set the plan in motion, Bjorn finds himself increasingly protective of Liesl and offers to help her care for her brothers. Zsa-Zsa implicates his brother, Nubar (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), as the true murderer of Liesl’s mother. In her reflective moments, Liesl writes to the Mother Superior, expressing her concerns about the absence of God in Zsa-Zsa’s life. Meanwhile, Excalibur manipulates the market price of Zsa-Zsa’s goods, specifically bashable rivets, amplifying Zsa-Zsa’s desperation and prompting him to hasten his plans.

Shoebox #1 involves Zsa-Zsa’s negotiation with Prince Farouk (played by Riz Ahmed) and the financier brothers Leland and Reagan (played by Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston, respectively). After grappling with their contractual disputes in a challenge of basketball known as H-O-R-S-E, the submerged tensions are momentarily eased when Farouk scores the final shot.

Shoebox #2 presents yet another afterlife reflection where Zsa-Zsa encounters the specters of his three former wives. The storyline progresses as Zsa-Zsa, Liesl, and Bjorn meet Marseille Bob (portrayed by Mathieu Amalric) at his nightclub, where chaos erupts due to gunfire initiated by a guerilla unit led by Sergio (Richard Ayoade). Amidst the turmoil, Zsa-Zsa heroically takes a bullet meant for Bob, further entrenching his intricate web of relationships.

With his multiple dealings intensifying, Zsa-Zsa’s emotional turmoil surfaces when he confides in Liesl, attributing the blame for her mother’s death to his brother Nubar. Liesl grapples with the painful truth and chooses to continue the mission out of a personal quest for justice against Nubar. As events escalate challenging Zsa-Zsa’s morality, he eventually faces the consequences of his alliances and confronts the true nature of love and family amidst a backdrop of treachery.

Shoebox #3 shows the family dynamics taking form as Zsa-Zsa seeks help from his cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johansson), while Shoebox #4 deepens the familial conflict as Zsa-Zsa and Nubar confront their complicated history. Ultimately, the tale evolves as Zsa-Zsa changes his ways, attempting to rectify his past mistakes and embrace a different path.

In the concluding Shoebox #5, Zsa-Zsa and Liesl now run a humble restaurant, marking a stark turn from their previous extravagant lifestyle. Liesl writes one last letter reflecting on the lives touched by Zsa-Zsa’s choices, with her brothers finally receiving the love they deserve. As Bjorn leaves behind his espionage ties, he finds fulfillment in teaching, while Liesl’s romantic future blossoms with Bjorn’s proposal. Together, Zsa-Zsa and Liesl forge a new bond over card games, signifying a poignant shift from chaos to a semblance of family warmth and reconciliation.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Phoenician Scheme

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Official Trailer

Movie Themes and Keywords

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espionageagentspy thrillerspyspy action

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About The Phoenician Scheme

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