Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) Movie Review
Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the wildest and most ridiculous movies of 2022. But it is also one of the best. The movie is divided into three parts. ‘Part 1: Everything’ begins by introducing us to the main players of this tumultuous story. Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) runs a laundromat with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). Their business is being investigated by the IRS as Waymond tries several times to give an oblivious Evelyn divorce papers. Evelyn’s difficult father Gong Gong (James Hong) is visiting, adding an extra layer of tension. Evelyn and Waymond’s daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) is supposed to help translate at the IRS appointment but she becomes offended when her mother won’t acknowledge her girlfriend in front of her grandfather and leaves.
When they arrive at the IRS appointment to meet with Deirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis) things get interesting. Waymond’s personality changes entirely and his body is taken over by Alpha Waymond, another version of himself from the Alpha Universe. He explains to Evelyn that every decision they make creates a new parallel universe and gifts her with a headset that allows her to travel to alternate universes. He also relays that they are being chased by Jobu Tupaki, a woman whose mind has been mutilated after being pushed too hard by Alpha Evelyn.
From here it gets much too confusing to try to summarize because Evelyn begins traveling to so many different universes and seeing how her life is different in each one. She has resentment for Waymond in her current universe and foraying into other universes where her life is extremely different is a welcome balm for her. Some of the universes are similar but some are very different. In one universe she is a famous movie star, in another she is a chef working alongside a man who is being controlled by a raccoon. And in yet another universe (and perhaps my favorite part of the movie) everyone has hot dogs for fingers and Evelyn is dating Deirdre. I tried to warn you earlier, this movie is literally insane.
The intricacies of the plot matter and yet they don’t at the same time. Each universe is something to be experienced as Evelyn experiences it. Much of the time you aren’t sure what you’re even watching but somehow the plot zips along and takes you for a ride. Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert have made a name for themselves by making wacky movies that have absurd storylines – go watch Swiss Army Man (2016) if you haven’t yet. Everything Everywhere All At Once follows in this vein and cements their status as two of the most out of the box directors in Hollywood.
This particular movie has something for everyone. It’s funny, heartfelt, a family story, and action packed. One fight scene in an office with cubicles involves a man with a butt plug (I told you it’s weird!) and is one of the most intense and entertaining fight scenes I’ve seen this year. There’s also a hilarious reference to the song “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” by Nine Days which pops up periodically throughout the movie. The song was inevitably stuck in my head for days after watching this.
I could go on and on about all of the details that make this movie so much fun to watch, but instead I’ll just tell you to go watch it for yourself. It’s one of the best movies of 2022 so far and if nothing else, it will shake you from the boredom of everyday life and renew your faith in telling stories through the art of movies.
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You liked Swiss Army Man
2. You like movies about metaverses
3. You like weird shit
