I went into the theater with little idea regarding the new A24 movie, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” (EEAAO) which was honestly a rewarding decision. The director duo, Daniels, individually known as Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, created what I predict will be the best picture of 2022, thanks to their direction and astounding cast and crew. With top-tier editing, genre-bending craft and compelling visuals, the film was a viewing experience beyond anything I could have imagined.
EEAAO is a mind-boggling journey that captures a heartwarming and intense tale surrounding a fractured Chinese-American family. Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) owns a failing laundromat with her husband, Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Quan), and together they raise their daughter, Joy Wang (Stephanie Hsu). As Eveleyn finds herself at conflict with her familial relations and life pursuits, she is abruptly immersed into the multiverse, where she is responsible for preventing the demise of all the universes. With this role, she travels throughout the multiverse, entertaining different versions of herself, battling obstacles and confronting the consequential issues in her life.
The concept of the multiverse has recently become a hot topic in the film industry, but with such confusing subject matter comes the risk of losing an audience in the potentially intricate, confusing plot. Many films surrounding the multiverse are considered overly ambitious because they dance around the meaning of life and incorporate multiple realms of the universe.
EEAAO sets the precedent for well-done films with such content because the film doesn’t rely on the multiverse as the heart of the story.
The film highlights the toxic cycle of generational trauma and the unwarranted effects it has on a family. Daniels’ creative storytelling of immigrant family struggles is formulated as Evelyn jumps through the different realms, and the viewers are introduced to the rules of the multiverse simultaneously. Each character’s story arc is complex, to say the least. However, as the film unravels through each titled chapter, the audience develops a connection with the characters.
Every universe has its own quirks that present different abilities Evelyn is able to possess. As bizarre as it is, the editing and visual effects are masterful, and seamlessly capture the exciting jumps between universes. Hotdog fingers, googly eyes, rocks, and everything bagels are small glimpses into the multiverse.
Though it comes across as a sci-fi movie, EEAAO incorporates aspects of romance, comedy, drama and action, which shape one thrilling adventure for viewers. I have not seen every movie ever made, but from what I’ve seen, this movie stands on its own—outside of any box, genre or conformity. This piece of cinema is a treasure that makes recent releases look mundane in comparison.
The viewing experience unwraps an array of emotions. When the final credits scrolled down the screen, I was a sobbing mess. I don’t doubt moviegoers will leave the theater with the film looming in the back of their heads for a long time after viewing. There are probably a hundred different universes where I would hold contrasting opinions about this film, but in this universe, I love it.
