Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Name	Everything Everywhere All at Once
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Producer	Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, Jonathan Wang
Writer	Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Starring	Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tallie Medel, Jenny Slate
Music	Son Lux
Cinematography	Larkin Seiple
Editing	Paul Rogers
Studio	I Love You Productions, Year of the Rat, Ley Line Entertainment
Distributor	A24
Runtime	139 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English, Mandarin, Cantonese

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 American absurdist comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels. The film stars Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who is audited by the IRS while discovering she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from destroying the multiverse. It explores themes of existentialism, nihilism, and generational trauma through a frenetic blend of genres, including science fiction, martial arts, and animation.

Plot

Evelyn Wang, a stressed laundromat owner, is struggling with a failing marriage to her meek husband Waymond, a strained relationship with her daughter Joy, and a daunting audit by Deirdre Beaubeirdre, an inspector for the IRS. During a visit to the IRS building, a version of Waymond from the Alpha Universe contacts her, explaining that a multiversal threat named Jobu Tupaki is destroying realities. Evelyn learns to "verse-jump" by performing statistically improbable actions, accessing the skills and memories of her alternate selves, such as a martial arts master and a famous actress. The narrative escalates as Evelyn discovers Jobu Tupaki is an alternate version of her own daughter, Joy, who has become an omnipotent being overwhelmed by nihilistic despair after perceiving all existence simultaneously. The climax unfolds across multiple realities, including a universe where people have hot dog fingers and a silent Pixar-style universe, culminating in a final confrontation where Evelyn uses compassion and absurdity to reconcile with her family.

Cast

* Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang * Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki * Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang * James Hong as Gong Gong * Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre * Tallie Medel as Becky Sregor * Jenny Slate as Debbie the Dog Mom * Harry Shum Jr. as Chad * Sunita Mani as TV Musical - Queen * Aaron Lazar as TV Musical - Soldier * Brian Le as Alpha Jumper * Andy Le as Alpha Jumper

Production

The film was written and directed by the duo Daniels, who previously collaborated on the film Swiss Army Man. Development began in 2010, with the directors drawing inspiration from kung fu cinema, The Matrix, and the philosophy of Albert Camus. Principal photography commenced in January 2020 but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming later that year under strict protocols. The production design team, led by Jason Kisvarday, created numerous distinct sets to represent the multiverse, while the visual effects were handled by Zak Stoltz and his team. The score was composed by the experimental band Son Lux, and the editing by Paul Rogers involved managing thousands of footage clips to create the film's rapid pace.

Themes

The narrative serves as an exploration of existential nihilism and the search for meaning in a chaotic universe, drawing parallels to philosophical works like *Thus Spoke Zarathustra* and *The Myth of Sisyphus*. It examines the immigrant experience through the lens of the Chinese-American family, highlighting intergenerational conflict and the pressures of the American Dream. The concept of the multiverse is used metaphorically to represent life's infinite possibilities and regrets, while the climax advocates for absurdism and empathy as antidotes to despair. The film also incorporates elements of LGBT themes through the relationship between Joy and Becky.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest festival on March 11, 2022, and began a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 25, 2022, by A24. Its wide release followed on April 8, 2022. International distribution included releases in markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mainland China. The release strategy emphasized the theatrical window despite the concurrent growth of streaming platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reception

Upon release, the film received widespread critical acclaim. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 94% approval rating, with praise directed at its originality, direction, and performances, particularly from Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. Publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and *Variety* hailed it as a groundbreaking work. It performed strongly at the box office, grossing over $140 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, making it A24's highest-grossing film. Audience reception was also positive, with notable resonance within the Asian American and LGBT communities.

Accolades

The film achieved unprecedented success during the 95th Academy Awards, winning seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan, and Best Supporting Actress for Jamie Lee Curtis. It also won awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Other major honors included prizes at the Golden Globe Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Directors Guild of America Awards, as well as recognition from organizations like the BAFTA and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Category:2022 films Category:American films Category:A24 films