The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a whimsical, visually driven short that centers on Henry Sugar, a wealthy gambler who stumbles on a doctor’s strange case file about “The Man Who Sees Without Using His Eyes.” Intrigued, Henry reads on: the patient—once a circus performer—learned from a yogi in India a concentration technique that lets him see through thin objects and even around solid obstacles. Henry steals the book that describes the method, teaches himself to “see” playing cards and other hidden details, and at first uses the ability to win at gambling. On screen you’ll get more than a straight crime-or-greed tale. The film is episodic and lightly framed among other short stories, blending dry comedy and gentle drama. The pacing is brisk; the narrative favors clever set pieces and concise scenes over long exposition. The central story moves from curiosity and trickery into a quietly surprising moral turn, asking what someone does with the power to predict outcomes and read secrets. Watching it feels like being inside a highly stylized storybook: precise visuals, warm color palettes, and a playful, deadpan tone pair with understated performances. The humor is often wry rather than broad, and the moments of wonder—learning the strange meditative technique, seeing a card through a page—are staged for maximum visual delight. Despite its brevity, the film balances curiosity, suspense, and heart, leaving viewers with a mix of amusement and a gentle moral reflection about wealth, choice, and how extraordinary gifts are used. If you enjoy compact, artful storytelling with whimsical visuals and a sly sense of humor, this short offers a satisfying, slightly surreal ride that keeps you entertained while nudging at deeper questions about purpose and generosity.

Actors: Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel

Director: Wes Anderson

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

85 /100 7.4 /10 8.0 /10