This is the fifth out of Christian Petzold's seven feature films to feature actress Nina Hoss. Also, it's his second film in a row after Barbara (2012) to star Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld in the leading roles.
According to Christia Petzold, Phoenix is the second chapter of his trilogy called "Love in Times of Oppressive Systems". The trilogy also includes Barbara (2012) and Transit (2018).
Some of the inspirations for the film came from Vertigo (1958), Germany Year Zero (1948), Out of the Past (1947), film noir and the works of Douglas Sirk.
Adapted from "Le Retour des cendres / Return from the ashes" (1965) by Hubert Monteilhet.