Everything Everywhere All At Once
Movie Explained + Ending Explained
🗓️ Release Year
2022
📺 Streaming On
Prime Video, Showtime
IMDb
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) Movie Explained & Ending Explained: OTT News
Welcome to the cinematic whirlwind that is Everything Everywhere All At Once. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (collectively known as Daniels), this 2022 film is a genre-bending masterpiece that mixes absurdist comedy, martial arts, and profound family drama. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, proving that audiences crave stories with deep emotional cores wrapped in wild, creative packaging.
If you walked out of the movie feeling like your brain was put through a blender, you are not alone. This movie explained article is here to help. We will journey through the multiverse, decode the symbolism of the Everything Bagel, and provide a definitive ending explained so you can fully appreciate the genius of this film starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu.
2. Overview
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a sci-fi action-drama that runs for 139 minutes. At its heart, it is the story of Evelyn Wang, a frazzled, overworked immigrant trying to keep her laundromat afloat while dealing with a demanding father, a gentle husband she takes for granted, and a daughter she struggles to understand.
However, this mundane reality is shattered when Evelyn is recruited to save the multiverse. She must connect with the versions of herself from parallel universes to stop a powerful being called Jobu Tupaki from destroying everything. The film is a dazzling mix of genres—it is simultaneously a kung fu flick, a silent comedy, a Pixar parody, and a heartbreaking drama about generational trauma .
3. ⚠️ SPOILER WARNING
We are about to dive deep into the plot, themes, and the final moments of the film. If you haven’t watched Everything Everywhere All At Once yet, go watch it first. The experience is best enjoyed without knowing where the story goes. You have been warned!
4. Story Explained (Full Breakdown)
To understand the ending, we must first understand the rules of this universe and the journey Evelyn takes.
Act 1 Explained: The Setup and The Call to Adventure
We meet Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) in her most “defeated” universe. She is being audited by the IRS (led by the stern Deirdre, played by Jamie Lee Curtis), her marriage to the sweet but goofy Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) is falling apart, and her relationship with her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) is strained because she cannot accept Joy’s girlfriend, Becky.
During a tense meeting at the IRS office, the “Alpha” version of Waymond from another dimension hijacks her husband’s body. He explains that there is a multiverse, and an all-powerful villain named Jobu Tupaki is hunting and killing Evelyns across every dimension. Alpha-Waymond teaches Evelyn how to “verse-jump” by performing random, improbable actions (like putting her shoes on the wrong feet) to access the skills, memories, and emotions of her alternate selves .
Act 2 Explained: The Chase and Revelation
Evelyn quickly learns to verse-jump, tapping into universes where she is a Kung Fu master, an opera singer, or even a chef with a raccoon controlling her movements (a nod to Ratatouille). We learn that Jobu Tupaki is actually the Alpha-universe version of her daughter, Joy. Alpha-Evelyn pushed Alpha-Joy too hard in verse-jumping experiments, causing her mind to shatter.
Now, Jobu exists in every universe at once. She feels the crushing weight of infinite possibility, which has led her to a state of pure nihilism. If everything is possible, then nothing matters. To cope, she creates the “Everything Bagel”—a physical manifestation of a black hole containing all her hopes, fears, and every experience imaginable, sprinkled into nothingness . She isn’t trying to kill Evelyn; she is searching for someone, specifically her mother, who can see what she sees and understand her pain .
Act 3 Explained: The Battle for Connection
As Evelyn fights Jobu’s minions across realities, she begins to understand her daughter’s nihilistic point of view. In a moment of despair, she almost gives in and steps into the Bagel with Joy. However, she is stopped by Waymond’s voice. Not Alpha-Waymond, but her own “weak” husband. He delivers a powerful monologue about how fighting with kindness and empathy is his way of surviving. He tells her: “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” .
Inspired by this, Evelyn changes her approach. She stops fighting with violence and starts fighting with empathy. Using her multiverse powers, she doesn’t punch her enemies; she finds the pain in their lives and brings them joy.
5. Key Themes Explained
- Nihilism vs. Kindness: The film presents nihilism as an intellectual dead-end. Jobu is right—nothing matters in the grand scheme of the multiverse. But the film argues that because nothing matters, we are free to choose what we care about. Daniels chose kindness and love as the answer .
- Generational Trauma: Evelyn’s inability to accept Joy stems from the trauma inflicted by her own father, Gong Gong (James Hong). He was harsh and demanding, so Evelyn learned to be harsh. The multiverse journey allows her to break this cycle by choosing acceptance over judgment .
- The Immigrant Experience: The film portrays the feeling of being torn between two worlds. Evelyn feels like a failure because she didn’t become the movie star or the successful businesswoman she could have been. The film validates her struggle and shows that her simple, “failed” life is actually full of profound love .
6. Characters Explained
- Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh): The “worst” Evelyn in the multiverse, which ironically makes her the most powerful. Her potential is unlimited because she has so many unfulfilled paths. Her arc is about learning to see her life not as a collection of failures, but as a tapestry of love.
- Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Quan): The heart of the film. In every universe, he loves Evelyn unconditionally. He proves that gentleness is not weakness; it is a superpower. His philosophy of strategic kindness saves the day .
- Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki (Stephanie Hsu): She represents the modern feeling of overwhelm and depression. Living in a world with infinite information (like the internet) has made her feel small and meaningless. She doesn’t want to destroy the world; she wants someone to hold her hand and tell her it’s okay to feel lost .
- Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis): She represents the mundane obstacles of everyday life. In another universe, she is Evelyn’s lover (in the hot-dog-fingers universe), showing that connection can be found in the most unlikely places.
7. Twist Explained
The biggest twist is the nature of Jobu Tupaki’s villainy. For the first two acts, the movie leads us to believe she is a god-like monster who wants to destroy the multiverse. We discover that the “Everything Bagel” is not a doomsday weapon, but a suicide note.
Her rampage across the multiverse was not an act of war, but a desperate cry for help. She was looking for a version of her mother who could understand her pain so that she wouldn’t have to face the void alone . This re-contextualizes the entire story from a battle of good vs. evil to a story of a mother trying to save her daughter from despair.
8. Movie Ending Explained
This is the most important section. Let’s break down the final minutes of the film.
What Exactly Happens?
After Evelyn adopts Waymond’s philosophy of empathy, she pursues Joy into the Bagel’s void. She doesn’t drag her out by force; she follows her in. Surrounded by the darkness of the Everything Bagel, Evelyn tells her daughter that despite all the chaos, despite the infinite possibilities, she will always, in every universe, choose to be with her.
We cut back to the “real world” (the IRS universe) where the family stands outside the laundromat. Joy, still feeling the weight of her depression, tells her mother she needs to go. She feels she isn’t good enough and that she holds her mother back. In a devastatingly beautiful moment, Evelyn holds her daughter’s face and says: “I love you. I have loved you in every universe. And in this life, I want to be with you.” They embrace, finally understanding each other.
In the final scene, the family is back in the IRS office with Deirdre. Evelyn, Waymond, Joy, and Becky (Joy’s girlfriend) are a united front. As Deirdre talks about their tax forms, Evelyn hears a faint whisper—the voices of other Evelyns from across the multiverse calling to her. She smiles, gently shakes her head “no,” and chooses to stay present in her own life, with her family .
What the Ending Means
The ending explained is a rejection of escapism. Evelyn spent the movie looking at other lives she could have lived—more successful, richer, more glamorous. The temptation of the Bagel was to give up on her hard life and let the void take her. But by choosing to stay, she validates her own existence.
- Connection to Theme: The ending ties directly into the theme of kindness and active love. The multiverse is a metaphor for a distracted mind. In a world of infinite distractions (social media, regrets, “what ifs”), the most radical act is to be present with the people right in front of you .
- The Googly Eye: Throughout the film, Waymond puts googly eyes on everything. At the end, Evelyn puts one on her forehead, signifying that she has adopted his worldview. She now sees the world through the lens of joy and silliness, which is the antidote to the nihilistic black hole of the Bagel .
Director’s Intention
The Daniels have stated that the film is not meant to be solved like a puzzle, but felt like an emotion. They wanted the audience to let go of trying to control the narrative and instead connect with the characters’ emotional journeys. The ending is meant to be transcendent—a celebration of choosing love over despair .
9. Performances
- Michelle Yeoh gives the performance of a lifetime. She transitions effortlessly from tired everywoman to dazzling martial artist to heartbroken mother. She carries the film’s massive weight on her shoulders.
- Ke Huy Quan makes a triumphant return to acting. His Waymond is so lovable and sincere that his kindness-themed fight scenes become genuinely moving. His Oscar win was a feel-good moment for Hollywood.
- Stephanie Hsu is a revelation. Playing both the awkward Joy and the chaotic, god-like Jobu Tupaki requires incredible range, and she nails every second of it.
- Jamie Lee Curtis steals every scene she is in, proving that even a stern IRS agent can have a soft (or hot-dog-fingered) heart.
10. Direction & Visuals
Daniels created a film that looks like no other. The visual effects were done by a small team of five people, giving the movie a raw, inventive energy that big-budget CGI movies often lack .
- Cinematography: The film uses a chaotic, kinetic camera during fight scenes and intimate, static close-ups during emotional moments. The rock universe sequence, where two rocks have subtitled conversations, is a stroke of genius—it is visually simple but emotionally complex.
- Color Palette: The “real world” is shot with muted, drab colors. As Evelyn verse-jumps, the colors become more vibrant, symbolizing her awakening to the possibilities of life.
11. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unbelievably original and creative.
- Perfect balance of absurdist humor and genuine heart.
- Oscar-worthy performances from the entire cast.
- A positive message about kindness that feels earned.
Cons:
- The first 30 minutes can be overwhelming for some viewers.
- The crude humor (dildo fight, hot dog fingers) might not be for everyone.
- Viewers looking for a simple action movie will be confused by the philosophical depth.
12. Cast
Here are the primary characters and the actors who brought them to life in this 2022 movie :
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Yeoh | Evelyn Wang | The overwhelmed laundromat owner who must save the multiverse. |
| Ke Huy Quan | Waymond Wang | Evelyn’s kind and optimistic husband. |
| Stephanie Hsu | Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki | Evelyn’s daughter and her multiverse-destroying alter-ego. |
| Jamie Lee Curtis | Deirdre Beaubeirdre | The IRS agent auditing the Wang family. |
| James Hong | Gong Gong | Evelyn’s demanding father. |
| Tallie Medel | Becky Sregor | Joy’s supportive girlfriend. |
13. Crew
| Crew Member | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Kwan | Director / Writer | Co-creator of the film’s unique vision and story. |
| Daniel Scheinert | Director / Writer | Co-creator who helped balance the absurdity with emotion. |
| Son Lux | Composer | Created a genre-bending score that mixes hip-hop, orchestral, and electronic music. |
| Larkin Seiple | Cinematographer | Captured the chaotic beauty of the multiverse. |
14. Who Should Watch?
- Fans of Michelle Yeoh and martial arts cinema.
- Anyone who loves thought-provoking sci-fi like The Matrix or Swiss Army Man.
- Viewers looking for a film that will make them laugh, cry, and call their mom.
- People who appreciate creative, independent filmmaking.
15. Verdict
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a rare film that lives up to its ambitious title. It is a dazzling, emotional rollercoaster that uses the multiverse not as a gimmick, but as a powerful metaphor for family, trauma, and love. The ending explained above shows that despite all the chaos, the film’s message is simple: be kind, stay present, and love your family. It is a masterpiece that deserves every award it won.
16. Where to Watch
You can currently stream Everything Everywhere All At Once on Prime Video and Showtime. It is also available for rental on most digital platforms like Apple TV and YouTube. If you haven’t seen it yet, grab some tissues and prepare for an unforgettable ride!
🌌 Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
10 things you always wanted to know about the multiverse phenomenon
In the film, verse-jumping allows a person to access the skills, memories, and bodies of their alternate-universe selves. To trigger a jump, you must perform an improbable or statistically unlikely action — like eating lip balm, putting a paper cut on your forehead, or winning a piñata game with your feet. The technology was developed in the “Alphaverse” by Alpha-Evelyn. The more you jump, the more splintered your mind becomes, which is what happened to Jobu Tupaki [1][2].
The Everything Bagel is a dark, donut-shaped singularity (like a black hole) that Jobu Tupaki created. It’s topped with literally everything—every seasoning, every disappointment, every existential dread. It represents nihilism and the crushing weight of infinite possibilities. Jobu wants to use it to destroy herself (and the multiverse) because she feels nothing matters. Visually, it’s a bagel that contains the universe .
- Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang (the overwhelmed laundromat owner).
- Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang (her gentle husband / Alpha Waymond).
- Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki (daughter and multiverse villain).
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre (IRS inspector / hot-dog-finger lover).
- James Hong as Gong Gong (Evelyn’s demanding father) [3][10].
The film won seven Academy Awards at the 95th Oscars (2023), including:
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert)
- Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh – first Asian woman to win)
- Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan)
- Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis)
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Film Editing
It also won Best Actor/Actress at the Golden Globes and became A24’s highest-grossing film worldwide [1][7].
That scene takes place in a universe where life never evolved – only inert rocks exist. Evelyn and Joy (as rocks) have a profound conversation about meaninglessness. It’s a minimalist, absurdist masterpiece: they can’t move, yet they communicate via subtitles. The scene emphasizes that even in a dead universe, connection matters. Some viewers spotted insects and plants in the background, but that’s likely a goof (or maybe another universe bleeding through) [1][8].
Although the multiverse seems to point to nihilism (“nothing matters, because every possibility exists”), the film ultimately lands on absurdist optimism and existentialism. Evelyn realizes that even in a chaotic, infinite reality, the only antidote is kindness, love, and embracing the small moments. Waymond’s speech – “be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on” – is the philosophical core. It’s anti-nihilistic: we create meaning through connection [4][9].
It’s one of the many bizarre parallel universes. In that reality, humans evolved with sausage-like fingers. Objects (like pianos) are still designed for hands, which is impractical — a deliberate visual joke. It also contains a tender LGBTQ+ romance between Evelyn and Deirdre. The hot-dog-finger world shows that love and connection can exist in any form, no matter how weird [2][8].
The directors (Daniels) cited Wong Kar-wai (especially In the Mood for Love) for the romantic, dreamy sequences. The martial arts scenes pay homage to classic Hong Kong cinema, and the raccoon chef is a direct parody of Ratatouille. They also drew from The Matrix, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and the philosophical concept of “infinite improbability” from Douglas Adams. But the overall tone is uniquely their own [2][3].
Yes! A few:
- The instructions Evelyn reads say “don’t forget to breath” (incorrect) in some shots, but later it’s corrected to “breathe” [1][8].
- In the rock universe (where life never formed), you can see grass and flying insects in the frame [1].
- The dog’s color changes when kicked during a fight (probably a stunt prop) [1].
- Boom mic reflected in dryer doors at the laundromat [8].
In a universe where Evelyn is a teppanyaki chef, a raccoon controls her movements like a puppet (a parody of Ratatouille). The raccoon is named Raccacoonie. It’s voiced by Randy Newman (composer of many Pixar scores), and the character appears briefly but hilariously. There’s also a version where a sentient rock is a chef [3][10].
📌 Quick facts: Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
⭐ Directors: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert 🎬 Runtime: 139 min 🌍 Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese 🏷️ Budget: $14–25M | Box office: $143M
