Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama
Rating: 15
Warnings: Some Violence, Some Gore, Mild Animal Abuse, Suicide Mention, Mild Self Harm

A kung-fu science fiction about multiple parallel universes and an all-powerful baddy quickly reveals itself as also an absurdist comedy and family drama.

The fight scenes are fun and exciting, and there is some violence and gore here. A dog is even used as a weapon, riding the line between an action scene and a comedy scene. The 'multiverse' plot is detailed enough to keep you interested but simple enough to follow amongst everything else.

Likewise, having alternate universe versions of the same smaller cast makes it both easier to keep track of characters and adds interesting levels to them.

Some of the most absurd elements come into play with the universe hopping, as they do odd things to trigger jumps and explore each alternative universe. In other lives, Evelyn is a film star, a chef, a scientist, a sign spinner... a rock, a pinata, and a woman with hot dog fingers. The rock universe is has some really touching moments for the family drama; this film is genre-rollercoaster.

The troubled relationships between Evelyn and her husband, Evelyn and her daughter, and Evelyn and her father take up this aspect. Just as there are all these multiverse versions of her, she is also juggling the laundry business, her own hopes and dreams, and her relationships like multiple lives. Her husband is less her life partner to her than he is her business partner, she wants to be close to her daughter but distance her sexuality and girlfriend from her elderly father, and the timing of this multiverse news clashes with both her father's birthday party and the laundrette being last-chance audited.

The villain reveal is heavily foreshadowed, as is the ultimate moral of kindness and happiness. Regardless, the impact it has on Evelyn is powerful, and the audience either reacts with her or can really take in her reaction. Just looking at the poster gives a good idea of the busy-ness, the artfulness and the brilliance of this film, and the fun it has. You'll never look at googly eyes, hot dogs or even the small local businesses around your city the same again.