5 minute read
Unraveling Existence: Nihilism Explored in “Everything Everywhere All at Once“
Decoding Life’s Meaning through cinema
by Svenja Kesseler
In the cinematic landscape, „Everything Everywhere All at Once“, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, isn’t just a movie- beyond its surface plot and visuals lies a profound exploration of nihilism- the belief that life lacks inherent meaning.
The Multiverse
As the audience delves into the movie’s multidimensional narrative, the three central characters serve as representatives for the conflict between opposing perspectives on nihilism. Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), the protagonist, finds herself at the crossroads between the belief system of her daughter (Stephanie Hsu) and her husband, Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). This inner conflict becomes a lens through which the film explores different approaches to confront existential questions.
The multiverse depicted in the film mirrors our postmodern lifestyle, illustrating the multiperspectiveness of our interconnected world.
Through the World Wide Web, we can escape our everyday life, exploring different „universes“ or versions of ourselves in our own „virtual multiverse.“ The film suggests that this explorations can lead to contemplation of the meaning and value of existence in a world that offers boundless possibilities and an endless amount of people we can compare ourselves to. Just as Evelyn comes to realize by exploring the multiverse, we might reach the conclusion that our existence is insignificant in the grand spectrum of things, that we don’t matter and that there is no inherent meaning or value to life.
“ We are all stupid. Small, stupid humans. Every new discovery is just a reminder- We are all small & stupid” - daughter explaining her nihilistic views on life
From Black Bagels to Googly Eyes
C entral to the film’s narrative is the symbol of the black bagel, a visual metaphor for the crisis of meaning and the embrace of nihilism. The black ring represents everything we know, we talk about, we think about, while its center is hollow and empty, illustrating that - if one really thinks about it - there is no meaning or sense behind the things we care about in our everyday lives. Furthermore, the black bagel mirrors the circular shapes traced throughout the movie, evoking a sense of meaningless repetition in the cyclical nature of existence.
“ Another year, pretending we know what we are doing, but really, we’re just going around in circles“ - Evelyn commenting on chinese new year.
However, just as Evelyn joins her daughter in the belief that life is meaningless, another symbol emerges - the googly eyes. When she is about to follow her daughter into the black bagel, she turns around one last time, reflecting on her life and her husband, who she has always seen as weak, because even in times of trouble or crisis he was joking around, seemingly not grasping the vastness of their problems. He has a lighter approach to the world, offering a counter perspective on nihilism by embodying compassion, empathy and unconditional love. The googly eyes he puts on everything are black in the Center and white on the outside, suggesting that we might not understand everything around us, but we can get to know ourselves. The eyes become a visual representation of seeing the world through a different, more optimistic lens.
While Evelyn and her daughter grapple with the vastness of the universe and the ensuing existential questions, Waymond stands defiant. His emphasis on kindness, optimism and love challenges the notion that nihilism is solely a destructive force.
Embracing the Void: Nihilism and Reinvention
As Evelyn reflects on Waymond’s actions, a different approach to nihilism surfaces- acceptance of the world and all the uncertainties that come with it. Instead of focusing on individualism or personal achievement, Waymond demonstrates that significance can be found in the connections we build around us and how crucial it is to be kind, that optimism and kindness are not the characteristics of someone who is naive or ignorant, but tools used intentionally against nihilism.
“ You can tell me its a cruel world and that we are all just running around in circles. I know that. I have been on this earth just as many days as you. When I’m deciding to see the good sides of things, i’m not being naive. It is strategic and necessary. It’s how I’ve learned to survive through everything. I know you see yourself as a fighter. Well, I see myself as one too.”
In the final scenes of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the family reunites amid the vastness of the multiverse, offering a profound lesson in facing nihilism. Their connection becomes a powerful reminder that, in a seemingly indifferent universe, shared experiences and relationships can provide genuine meaning.
This conclusion mirrors a broader perspective on nihilism: the recognition that, despite life’s inherent uncertainties, we possess the agency to redefine our own purpose. Just as the family finds solace in their bonds, we, too, can find significance and meaning in our own life.
In essence, the film encourages us to view nihilism not as a roadblock but as an opportunity for personal and collective reinvention. There is a beautiful side to nihilism too, because as life unfolds as a blank canvas, it gives us the freedom to sketch our own narrative.
