Marvel could learn from Everything Everywhere All at Once for the MCU

By: Philippa Axinous | 09.04.2022, 16:30

The latest entry to our rolling list of the best films of 2022, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a delicious potpourri of genres, from frat comedy to generational drama. It begins with a relatively straightforward plot: Can a mother and daughter learn to appreciate their conflicting worldviews? But instead of taking the most direct path from point A to point B, Everything directors The Daniels scribble their way around the map, stretching the journey across a multiverse more human and relatable than the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

We follow the laundromat owner during an audit by IRS. Instead of following a hero, We get instead of multiverses of madness (sorry we couldn’t resist) as a mother attempts to dismantle her daughter’s nihilistic outlook. Instead of an action movie devoid of sex and romance, we get a fight scene in which men draw their power from improvised butt plugs, and a story about the profound power of love.

Tasha Robinson explains what makes it the most multiverse of all time.

” Even in an infinite universe of possibilities, it’s unlikely that we will ever see another movie like this. But at the same time, it means that every moment of Everything Everywhere is an exciting unknown. There’s no predicting where a Daniels project will travel in any given moment: up a character’s ass, or off into their wildest dreams. Sometimes it’s both at once.”

It is fun to keep up to date on the MCU. It’s like watching a juggler add more balls to her performances until it becomes impossible to stop many things from falling to the ground. But for all of the attention the creators of the MCU give to story, they seem less and less interested in why they’re telling said stories. What do they have to say beyond the occasional wink at real-world problems? Everything Everywhere All at Once could be accused of trying to say too much. We’re not going to argue with that.

If you feel comfortable in a theatre, we recommend the movie. And if you’re not comfortable stepping into the nearest cineplex, that’s okay, too. We curated our five favorite movies starring Everything Everywhere star Michelle Yeoh. You can stream them all from your own home via streaming services!

One final note. Whether you are watching Everything All at Once , or not, you must read our interview. James Hong once more gives an incredible performance. At 93 years old, Hong is still doing some of his best work.


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Cellar Door Games

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Graphic: Pete Volk/Polygon