Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as “The Daniels,” are a filmmaking duo who met while attending Emerson College. After making some short films, the two worked on music videos for Foster The People, Tenacious D, and The Shins. In 2016, their feature film debut, Swiss Army Man starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano, hit theaters to critical acclaim. The film earned numerous nominations, and The Daniels won the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival. For their next project, The Daniels decided to work on a concept they began researching in 2010. After being introduced to modal realism in the 1986 documentary Sherman’s March, they explored the multiverse theory. Initially, Jackie Chan was considered for the lead before the duo cast Michelle Yeoh in the role. After a three-month filming period in early 2020, Everything Everywhere All at Once hit theaters in early 2022.
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Synopsis
Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) runs a laundromat with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), but things aren’t going well. The laundromat is getting audited, Waymond is serving Evelyn divorce papers, and her father, Gong Gong (James Hong), is visiting. While meeting with IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis), an alternate universe version of Waymond takes over his body. This “Alphaverse” version of Waymond explains to Evelyn that the multiverse is in trouble, and she has to save it. Using “verse-jumping” technology made by her “Alpha” version, Evelyn hops through the multiverse, learning about her different lives. As she explores more bizarre universes, Evelyn learns the threat she has to stop is her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Using the name Jobu Tupaki, she’s created a black hole-like “everything bagel,” which can destroy the multiverse. Will Evelyn save the multiverse, and what life lessons will she learn along the way?
Review
For people who complain there’s no originality left in Hollywood, Everything Everywhere All at Once is here to challenge that. Sure, we’ve seen movies about the multiverse before, but never one quite as absurd and heartfelt as this. The film mixes science-fiction, action, comedy, and drama in a way that works on many levels. Given the concept, the filmmakers opted to go as out there and wild as possible, and the result is dazzling. There is so much trippy and bizarre imagery that it almost works if you put it on mute. Admittedly, it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when the characters explain how the multiverse and each universe work. Still, this wildly imaginative film asks you to expand your mind to many possibilities, complimented by a compelling story. It’s a viewing experience that you won’t soon forget long after the movie’s over.
Michelle Yeoh is front and center in this film and gives one of the best performances in her career. Not only does she get to showcase her martial arts skills, but she’s able to show her more comedic and dramatic sides. She helps to keep everything grounded and works as an audience avatar as she tries to navigate the multiverse. Ke Huy Quan, who’s most well-known for The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, is another highlight. While he initially comes off as meek and timid, he gets his moments to shine amongst the chaos. Jamie Lee Curtis and James Hong also deliver great performances, and Stephanie Hsu is someone to look out for. For as chaotic as the film is, it explores plenty of themes most anyone can relate to. Overall, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a dazzling spectacle with plenty of heart.
Buy Everything Everywhere All at Once from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3C9T90g.
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Wish I new this film existed earlier. Going to check it out
Sorry this review came out so late, but glad to know you’ll be watching it soon.