Everything Everywhere All At Once has been taking 2022 by storm since its release in early April. Directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (also known as The Daniels), EEAAO is a hit movie that explores the contentious relationship between Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) and her daughter Joy Wang (Stephanie Hsu) against the backdrop of the multiverse and the many-worlds hypothesis. With supporting performances from Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, and Jamie Lee Curtis, to name a few, EEAAO has received excellent reviews from critics, achieved global success at the box office, and is arguably on track to be 2022's best movie.
Yeoh's Evelyn is an unhappy and overworked laundromat owner, who, upon discovering the existence of the multiverse (via a parallel version of her husband), finds herself at the center of a multiversal war started by an evil entity known as Jobu Tupaki. Deemed the savior of all existing universes, Evelyn must stop Jobu Tupaki with the help of different versions of herself, using the skills they acquired in their respective universes to overcome the obstacles she faces in her own. As a result, audiences meet different versions of Evelyn throughout Everything Everywhere All At Once.
6 Rock Evelyn
One of the most unexpected — and surprisingly emotional — transformations that Evelyn experiences comes when she and Joy transform into a pair of rocks in a different world where life did not evolve, and the landscape is empty. Mother and daughter engage in an emotional dialogue that is paired with profound silences. At a crucial emotional point in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Joy asks Evelyn to let her go, and we see her rock tumble down the mountainside. It's a powerful image given the taxing journey that the characters have been on.
5 Hot Dog Finger Evelyn
This variant sees Evelyn with hot dogs for fingers in a slapstick moment that offers comic relief and, of course, depth. Hot Dog Finger Evelyn offers different components to the overall story arc of Everything Everywhere All At Once, including Evelyn using her skills with her feet, which becomes key during a pivotal fight scene, and managing themes of acceptance and understanding. This was widely popular with audiences as it portrayed an inclusive and refreshing depiction of LGBTQ+ women who are navigating difficult lives as well as the silliness of ridiculous fingers.
4 Hibachi Chef Evelyn
There are several comical scenes throughout Everything Everywhere All At Once that depict Evelyn jumping to a Hibachi chef version of herself, who is struggling to keep up with her rival, only to discover that a raccoon is controlling him under his hat (an obvious nod to Ratatouille). She then relays this information back to her daughter, Joy, in a comical sequence that is one of the most feel-good moments of the film.
3 Dominatrix Evelyn
This version is one of the more shocking and risqué entries to Evelyn’s variations, which sees her working as a maid while doubling as a dominatrix in order to her employer who is interested in BDSM. It’s comical as her character doesn’t seem like the type to partake in these kinds of activities, but ultimately shows a different side to her. It’s a perfect example of what makes Everything Everywhere All At Once successful, using comic effects and timing that always keep the viewer wanting more.
2 Movie Star Evelyn
One of the first versions that we see of Evelyn is one who did not leave for the USA with her husband Waymond (Key Huy Quan) and instead rejected him and focused on martial arts training, becoming a global star. Although she is hugely successful, she is deeply unhappy and never had her daughter who is her main source of happiness. The sequence depicts a moment where the Waymond of the alternative world meets her, and they discuss their respective loneliness and the major what-ifs of their past relationship. Although it’s a sad sequence, it sets in motion many themes of Everything Everywhere All At Once, which consider people’s obsession with thinking that the grass is always greener somewhere else.
1 Alpha Evelyn
Of all the variations that Evelyn experiences, Alpha Evelyn is definitely the most interesting. The whole film centers around watching her navigate the complexities of the multiverse while undergoing her own transformations throughout. Michelle Yeoh brings so much depth to the character, which makes the audience root for her throughout. What's more, Alpha Evelyn, as a down-on-her-luck and overly stressed person who's just trying to be the best she can be with what she's given, has ultimately resonated with audiences everywhere, reminding us of the importance of finding beauty in the ordinary.