Maybe it was the outrageous fan reviews, the indie intrigue, or the heartfelt absurdity that is The Daniels’ directing style that made me buy a ticket at the Kapolei Commons Theatre. Whatever it was, it gave Everything, Everywhere All At Once one of the top spots on my favorites list.
It was a visual and emotional buffet, if you will. An assault on the senses. Two hours and 19 minutes of an overstimulating spectacle. Every second worthy of all those damn Oscars.
Good God! The title says it all. It includes everything you can expect and not expect. One minute, I’m laughing, the next I’m tearing up over a storyline that’s reading me for filth.
I’ll bet all my pesos that every child of immigrants has related to the story one way or another (eldest daughters, come through!). It’s basically an immigrant family’s story disguised as a sci-fi action film.
The Evelyns of the world have that familiar need for control, that extra dash of “what if?” anxiety with that lingering feeling that something is about to go wrong. Daydreaming was sometimes my escape too.
Shoot, I’d take a chance multiverse jumping if I had the opportunity. Wouldn’t you? If I’ve inherited all this responsibility and expectations for a better life, let me find the universe with the best outcome.
Within a few minutes of the movie, you immediately recognize the parent-child dynamic. Anyone else got triggered by Evelyn’s unnecessary “you are getting fat” comment? My teenage self would already be eating another malasada to ease my self-consciousness.
I know immigrant parents love deeply. Oftentimes it’s packaged as critique or backhanded compliments. Love can sound like concerns or advice nobody asked for. Evelyn’s daughter, Joy, just wanting to exist without being corrected or “fixed” hit close to home. The constant push and pull between wanting independence and approval? Break my heart, why don’t you, Daniels.
There were no villains, really. More like just flawed, misunderstood individuals who needed infinite universes to find their strengths. Many immigrant families love through survival mode. Through worrying. Through holding on too tight because letting go feels dangerous. Letting go feels too out of control.
The film, through its quirky, crazy, twists and turns, shows that generational trauma gets passed down through fear. The fear of being judged, of other people’s opinions, of being seen. Holy shit, did this movie see me.
From a technical standpoint, this movie deserves its flowers. Can we talk about taking out an entire security team with a fanny pack? Ke Huy Quan did his thing in that scene. One of the most well-directed and well-choreographed fights to ever be put on screen. The editing itself is a gem, going fast and overwhelming to a sudden, gentle standstill.
The switching aspect ratio reminds anyone to take a second to breathe. The visual effects had me on the edge of my seat with that damn bagel, all of the outrageous outfits, and the few animation sequences. I repeat, a cinema buffet! What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall during those creative meetings.
I get it, I get it. The hot dog fingers, dildos, and googly eyes might ring absolute nonsense to some people but you have to admit, all of that lives up to its moniker. What do you mean I’m getting emotional over silent rock monologues?
The dialogue is wild in the best way, luring you in with the chaos and slapping you with a line about loving your life and knowing you are lovable. Ugh, its humor disarms you right before the emotional truth sneaks in and damn near ruins your day.
As someone with the constant expectation to be everything for everybody, the film reminds me not to lean into cynicism or always operate in survival mode. Like Waymond said, “The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please, be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on.” Almost like it was giving me permission to stop carrying things alone and, as much as possible, give grace where you can. Figured I’d just find meaning in the chaos.
Everything, Everywhere, All At One didn’t just impress me. It shocked me, it clocked me, it roasted me, and it met me. I left the movie feeling lighter and wanting to watch it all over again. When a movie does that to you, how can it not be one of the favorites?