Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 American independent film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film follows a middle-aged Chinese immigrant who is swept up into an adventure to save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led. It is described as a wildly surreal and hilarious sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese-American woman who struggles to finish her taxes. The movie features Michelle Yeoh in the lead role and has been praised for its unique and unconventional storytelling.
Plot
- A middle-aged Chinese immigrant, Evelyn Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh), is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.
- Evelyn is a laundromat owner who is drowning under the stress of her family's failing business and her ailing health.
- The film follows Evelyn as she discovers that her family's fate is intertwined with the fate of the multiverse.
Cast
- Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Unknown
- Stephanie Hsu as Unknown
- Ke Huy Quan as Unknown
- Daniel Kwan as Unknown
- Daniel Scheinert as Unknown
Director: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Writer: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Box Office Gross: $143,379,294
Distributor: A24
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Sci-fi, Fantasy
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2022
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 2022
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2022
Themes
- Existential crisis
- Family dynamics
- Immigration
- Multiverse
- Connection between parallel lives
- Saving reality
Reception
- The film has been praised for its unique and unconventional storytelling, as well as its humor and heart. Some viewers have found the movie's plot to be confusing and overwhelming.
Challenges Faced
- The film was written in 2016, and its production was influenced by the contrasting emotions of being online at the time, moving from techno-optimism to techno-terror.
Settings
- The film takes place in various alternate universes, as well as the protagonist's home and work environments.
Visual Styles & Techniques
- The film features a mix of live-action sequences and visually striking animated scenes.
- The directors, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert use a combination of visual effects, animation, and unique camera angles to create a surreal and immersive experience.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- The film is directed by the same duo behind the critically acclaimed "Swiss Army Man".
- The movie has been compared to other surreal and action-packed films, such as "Hot Tub Time Machine" and "The Fountain".