The 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is a mind-bending, emotionally powerful journey through multiverses, existential questions, and the search for meaning. While wrapped in absurdist humour, high-energy action, and stunning visuals, the film carries profound spiritual themes about identity, choice, interconnectedness, and enlightenment. At its core, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a meditation on the chaos of existence, the power of love, and the realization that meaning is not found in the grand scope of the universe but in the small, everyday moments of life.
One of the film’s central spiritual themes is the illusion of the self. Evelyn Wang, played by Michelle Yeoh, finds herself jumping between infinite versions of her life, each reflecting a different choice she could have made. This aligns with Buddhist and Hindu teachings on maya, or the illusion of identity, where the self is not fixed but an ever-changing construct shaped by perception. The film suggests that reality is not singular but fluid, and that enlightenment comes from seeing beyond the illusions of personal failures, regrets, and expectations.
Another profound theme is the idea of interconnectedness. The multiverse concept, where infinite realities exist simultaneously, mirrors spiritual teachings on the interconnected nature of all things. Many traditions, from Taoism to quantum spirituality, suggest that separateness is an illusion and that everything is part of a greater whole. Evelyn’s journey reflects this realization—not only in the way she experiences different lives but in how she comes to understand the importance of the relationships she has in her own reality. The film suggests that wisdom comes not from escaping into other possibilities but from embracing the present with awareness and gratitude.
The film also explores nihilism and the search for meaning. Joy/Jobu Tupaki, Evelyn’s daughter, embodies existential despair, believing that if everything exists everywhere all at once, then nothing truly matters. This reflects the struggle between nihilism and spirituality—the idea that an overwhelming awareness of infinite possibilities can lead to meaninglessness. However, the film ultimately offers a counterpoint to nihilism, suggesting that meaning is not something external or grand but something we create through love, kindness, and presence. This echoes spiritual teachings that emphasize living in the present moment and finding purpose in connection rather than external validation.
A key spiritual revelation in Everything Everywhere All at Once is the power of acceptance and surrender. Evelyn's initial reaction to chaos is to fight, control, and fix everything, but her ultimate awakening comes when she stops resisting and embraces love, humor, and compassion. This reflects the concept of wu wei in Taoism—effortless action, where true mastery comes from flowing with life rather than fighting against it. By choosing to meet chaos with love instead of fear, Evelyn embodies the transformative power of spiritual surrender, showing that true strength comes not from control but from connection.
Ultimately, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a cinematic expression of enlightenment—a journey through absurdity, suffering, and infinite possibilities that leads to the simplest yet most profound truth: love and presence are what make life meaningful. The film challenges viewers to rethink reality, embrace uncertainty, and find beauty in the now. In doing so, it offers not just a thrilling adventure but a deeply spiritual reflection on the nature of existence and the boundless power of kindness in a universe of infinite chaos.
