Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022

Movie · 139 min · English, Mandarin, Cantonese · March 11, 2022

Action comedy-drama Martial arts comedy Science fiction comedy-drama

Directed by DanielsWritten by Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis

A 2022 American independent absurdist comedy-drama film, Everything Everywhere All at Once was written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, with production involvement from Anthony and Joe Russo and Jonathan Wang. The movie blends elements from multiple genres such as surreal comedy, science fiction, fantasy, martial arts films, and immigrant storytelling. Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Quan Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who, during an IRS audit, learns she must link with alternate versions of herself to stop a force from annihilating the multiverse. Supporting cast members include Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Work on the project started in 2010, with the script being written beginning in 2016. Production officially began in 2018, with principal photography taking place from January through March 2020. Influences included works by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, the children’s book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and the video game Everything. Philosophical themes like existentialism, nihilism, surrealism, and absurdism are explored in the film, along with topics including neurodivergence, depression, generational trauma, and Asian American identity. The soundtrack includes music composed by Son Lux and features collaborations with Mitski, David Byrne, André 3000, John Hampson, and Randy Newman.

The film made its debut at South by Southwest on March 11, 2022 before starting a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 25, followed by a wide release through A24 on April 8. It earned $143 million domestically against a budget ranging from $14 to 25 million. Critics widely praised the film, awarding it numerous honors. At the 95th Academy Awards, it took home seven of eleven nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (Quan), Best Supporting Actress (Curtis), Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Kwan and Scheinert, and Best Editing. Additionally, the film won two Golden Globe Awards, five Critics' Choice Awards (including Best Picture), a BAFTA Award, and a record four SAG Awards (including Best Ensemble).