It might feel like an overly commercial label to put on an auteur director, but Wes Anderson is a brand at this point. His visual style is so instantly recognizable that it’s spawned entire subcategories of content on the internet and countless uncanny valley AI reimaginings. But the audience reception to some of his recent films seems to be that he’s leaning too hard into style over substance and losing a bit of the character connection that made his earlier films so resonant.

And that brings us to The Phoenician Scheme. 

Benicio Del Toro stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, a wealthy businessman who appoints his daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), as his heir while he attempts to secure funding to complete an enormous project. As they travel to lock down the funds, they encounter assassins, tycoons, government spies, and scheming relatives, all played by a star-studded collection of greats including Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Cera, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Most of Anderson’s movies have meandering plots that exist for quirky character moments to let his talented cast show off their skills in playing his eccentric creations, and The Phoenician Scheme is no exception. While some appearances feel more like extended cameos, we get some great standouts. Cera, in particular, is such a perfect fit for Anderson’s vibe that it feels crazy that they haven’t worked together dozens of times before. 

As usual, the visuals are the strongest element. The symmetry, color palette, vintage props, meticulous details, and the beautiful artificiality of Anderson’s trademark style are on full display in this film. It’s a gorgeous film, and if you like this aesthetic, that will be enough to carry you through a thinner story.

Sure, Anderson’s movies used to have more meat on the bone in terms of themes and emotions, but his style and vision still result in a truly pleasant watch. The experience of a film as visual art is sort of the point here. What’s the story of a gallery in a museum? What’s the story of sunset? It’s not important. It’s only important how those images make you feel. 

The Phoenician Scheme is a visual treat that gives us a nice way to spend a couple of hours. It’s not necessarily something that will stick with you, make you ask deeper questions, or even stir up strong emotions. It’s just a pleasant time in the movie theater.

To be frank, if I’m going to watch a mid-to-fairly-good movie, I’d rather it be from an auteur director making the exact creative expression they want than from the soulless commercial output of a mega corporation with the sole aim of furthering their brand and enhancing the value of their IP.