Released in 2022, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” made a big impact in the film world. It boldly claims that even with endless possibilities, love and kindness give life meaning. The film won seven Academy Awards and was praised by critics and audiences, opening new doors for multiverse movies with this message.
Daniels, who also directed Swiss Army Man, tells the story of an ordinary laundromat owner facing endless possibilities. The film explores family, immigration, and what it means to exist, creating an experience that is both chaotic and poignant.
Everything Everywhere All at Once Academy Awards Winners (95th Academy Awards / 2023)
| Category Winner | Winner |
|---|---|
| Work Best Picture | Everything Everywhere All at Once This film is the first A24 production to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. |
| Best Director Award | Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert |
| Best Actress Award | Michelle Yeoh(First Asian actress to win Best Actress) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ke Huy Quan |
| Best Supporting Actress | Jamie Lee Curtis |
| Best Screenplay (Original Screenplay) | Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert |
| Editing Award | Paul Rodgers |
Visual Beauty and Masterful Direction
The story follows Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), a middle-aged woman who travels through the multiverse in an attempt to reconnect with her daughter. Many viewers feel overwhelmed by the film’s fast pace and constant jokes. For me, the confusion at the start was even more memorable than the emotional ending.
What really stands out in the film is its bold visual style. Every parallel world the Daniels create has its own look, so the audience never gets bored. One scene that sticks with me is the strange conversation in a world where people have hot dog fingers. It’s truly absurd, but it also says something deep about what it means to be human.
A miraculous work where madness and love coexist
Michelle Yeoh’s performance is at the heart of this film. She plays everything from a tired laundromat owner to a kung fu master, a movie star, and a caring mother. Watching her bring so many versions of herself to life is truly impressive.
Unlike other multiverse movies, such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which focus on big visuals, this film grounds its wild story in the idea that love and family can hold things together. It also examines topics such as immigration and the generational divide.
Evelyn faces problems with her daughter, her marriage, and a tax audit, when she’s suddenly thrown into the multiverse to fight for her existence. This setup can be overwhelming, and many people may struggle to follow the story the first time they watch.
The film’s wildness is part of what makes it fun. The Daniels keep their usual crude humor. Jumping between universes means doing ridiculous things, like eating lip balm, telling someone you hate that you love them, or cutting yourself with paper. These moments get big reactions from the audience.
The Depth of a Story Woven with Layered Metaphors
What makes this film truly special is how the multiverse isn’t just a sci-fi trick. Instead, it becomes a means to discuss real problems in today’s world.
The protagonist, Evelyn, sees multiple visions when looking at any single thing. This idea becomes the film’s central premise of a multiverse. According to the filmmakers, it reflects director Daniel Kwan’s personal experience with ADHD: many thoughts and possible responses exist simultaneously, much like parallel universes. The narrative goes further by showing that what might be labeled a handicap—rapidly shifting focus—is, in this world, a superpower capable of saving everything.
The multiverse also serves as a metaphor for the internet age. Since 2010, SNS services have proliferated, and people have created multiple accounts with different personas. Feelings of envy and despair from viewing others’ accounts are embodied in the villain Joy Wang Paqui, who represents the struggles of the digital native generation.
Michelle Yeoh views the multiverse as a means to explore the immigrant experience. Many immigrants often wonder how their lives could have been different if they had made different choices. The film employs parallel worlds to illustrate how parents who have moved far from home envision alternative versions of themselves, capturing both regret and hope.
A moving conclusion centered on familial love
The grand multiverse adventure ultimately converges into “the story of a small family within a one-meter radius.” As if embodying Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s philosophy that “love may lose, but kindness wins,” Evelyn learns the importance of kindness toward those right before her eyes.
The film begins with an image of a hole, but by the end, that emptiness is filled with the love of family. It opens with a hole in tax papers and closes with the family reflected in a round mirror, showing how the story comes full circle both visually and emotionally.
Still, this movie won’t be everyone’s favorite. There’s a lot going on, with jokes and wild moments that might turn some people off. However, these challenges are part of what the film is trying to convey: even when things become confusing, it’s essential to choose kindness and love.
Summary—A Hymn of Kindness Resonating in a Despairing Era
The film Everything Everywhere All at Once offers an answer to chaos: even in overwhelming times, love and kindness remain what truly matter. For those of us bombarded with possibilities and often on the brink of despair, the film quietly insists that personal connection is the answer to uncertainty.
Evelyn’s words, “In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you,” and “I will always, always want to be here with you,” were simple yet deeply resonant, conveyed through the grand setting of the multiverse. This rare film, where handmade warmth coexists with bold experimentation, truly makes you feel the potential of cinema anew.
While watching, I sometimes felt confused and even a bit embarrassed by some scenes. But in the end, the film’s message—that love can meet chaos—was so powerful that it made the whole experience moving. Even feeling tired after watching felt like part of what the film was trying to convey.
Even so, I don’t think everyone will like this film. There are so many ideas packed in that some parts feel a bit scattered. The fast pace in the middle also makes some of the emotional moments feel lighter than they could have been.
The film’s deep philosophical ideas might turn off people who just want to be entertained. But these challenges are part of what makes the movie so bold.
