When Everything Everywhere All At Once came out, people were blown away. It felt like the biggest theatrical experience to hit the scene in a while. Audiences loved it, and they left the theater feeling like they learned something, or had at least explored some untouched thoughts in the back of their minds. The directors’, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (known as the Daniels) film surfs on the waves of some big philosophical questions. Here’s our take on how they play out:
The philosophy of Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAAO) is centered around the concept of interconnectedness, the idea that all things are connected and have an impact on one another. The film explores the premise that every action, decision, and event in one world affects other worlds, creating a ripple effect throughout the universe.
In EEAAO, the central character, Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), discovers that she has the ability to travel through parallel dimensions and experiences a multiverse where different versions of herself live in different dimensions. As the story progresses, Evelyn learns that her actions in one world can have profound effects on other worlds and that she has a responsibility to stay aware of this and act accordingly.
One of the key themes of the movie is the importance of making choices with intention and considering their consequences. The film presents the idea that our actions have a ripple effect on the world around us and emphasizes the need to take responsibility for those actions. This theme is reflected in Evelyn’s journey, as she learns to navigate the complexities of the multiverse and the impact of her decisions on those around her.
In relation to this, another central theme of EEAAO is the power of connection. The film highlights the idea that despite our differences, we are all connected, and our actions can affect others in ways we may never anticipate. The film encourages empathy and the recognition that we are all part of a larger whole, emphasizing the importance of compassion, kindness, and understanding.
The filmmakers use Evelyn’s daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu) and their relationship as a touchstone for this ideology. The mother and daughter have quite the strained relationship at the beginning of the film; Evelyn isn’t completely accepting of Joy’s sexuality or her new girlfriend, and Joy feels subsequently isolated from her family. Because of this, inside of the multiverse, Joy becomes Jobu Tupaki, the powerful sci-fi villain of the film. Evelyn’s marriage is also under strain, as her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) bears the brunt of her frustrations with how her life has turned out. Evelyn has to work through all of the ways her life could have turned out in order to accept how it did. Their laundry business is struggling, and the weight of their taxes and brutal tax auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis) hangs over her head as she tries to work through her relationships. She must also, eventually, stand up to her rather conservation father (James Hong) to finally be at peace with her life.
Through these tough revelations and interpersonal conflicts, EEAAO also explores the idea of acceptance and self-discovery. Through her travels across multiple dimensions, Evelyn learns to accept herself and embrace the different versions of herself that exist in different worlds. The film highlights the importance of self-discovery and self-acceptance, emphasizing the need to let go of preconceptions and embrace the possibilities of the universe.
In conclusion, the philosophy of Everything Everywhere All At Once revolves around the concepts of interconnectedness, intentionality, responsibility, compassion, self-discovery, and acceptance. The film uses pathos and humor to encourage viewers to recognize their place in the universe and the impact of their actions on others while emphasizing the power of connection and the importance of empathy and understanding.