The Phoenician Scheme – Wednesday 16th July 2025

Even ‘Style over Substance’ can’t justify this film, because the ‘Style’ is no longer as enjoyable, or innovative, as it once was. There’s absolutely no joy in this film. It’s dry, boring and the only reason I found myself persevering with it was out of some obligated sense of loyalty to the filmmaker behind it.

Wes Anderson was consistently brilliant up to, and including, The Grand Budapest Hotel. Unfortunately, his consistency can now be applied in the opposite direction, in the consistency of disappointment.

Whilst not as bad as Asteroid City, The Phoenician Scheme is made up of characters and situations that are just plain boring.

Not worth saying more, really.