In 2022, the indie film world was shaken up by a surreal and delightful offering called Everything Everywhere All at Once. This film, featuring Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis, is about an affable ex-cop who must navigate multiple dimensions to save the universe on the brink of collapse.
It quickly became a fan favorite and earned several nominations and awards that the cast and crew can proudly hang on their resumes. The unquestionable highlight of those achievements is winning the Oscar for Best Picture.
MYUNG J. CHUN/ LOS ANGELES TIMES/ GETTY IMAGES/ PATRICK T. FALLON/ AFP/ GETTY IMAGES (2)/ KEVIN WINTER | Everything Everywhere All at Once" eventually cracked $70 million domestically
Awards overview
Before breaking down what made Everything Everywhere All at Once such an extraordinary film, it is essential to understand the scope of the nominations and awards it received. It was a People's Choice Award nominee for Best Film, and it clinched awards at several festivals, including the Miami Film Festival and the Torino Film Festival in Italy.
The movie's whimsical and visually stunning cinematography earned a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards. Plus, it got nods for Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director.
Best Picture Winner
One can highlight the film's critical acclaim when discussing the Oscar win for best picture. Moviegoers loved this sci-fi film's heart, humor, action, and overall storytelling scope, as echoed by the praise it received from publications like Variety, The Guardian, and The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie's unique and innovative concept and direction made it a frontrunner for the best picture despite fierce competition. And when it was announced as the winner, social media erupted with enthusiasm and joy for this triumph for the indie film industry.
All the VFX for this film were done by 9 people, including the two directors
Other awards and nominations
In addition to the Best Picture win, several cast and crew members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the film. For one, Son Lux deservedly won Best Original Score because his compositions enriched the movie's world and added a layer of emotional resonance. The film's directing duo, The Daniels, nabbed Best Director and Best Original Screenplay nominations.
Their clever and creative storytelling techniques and unique vision for the film helped bring this story to life. Meanwhile, editor Paul Rogers' craft earned recognition through his Best Editing win, the film's pacing and tone hitting all the right notes. None of the above achievements would have been possible without the power of the ensemble cast.
Jamie Lee Curtis gave an emotionally nuanced performance as Lieutenant Cindy. Ke Huy Quan fully embraced his role as a punchy sidekick character, and his bursts of humor had viewers doubled over with laughter. The fantastic Michelle Yeoh also nabbed a nomination for Best Actress. As an experienced actress, she brought gravitas and sincerity to her depiction of the multiverse-hopping Mom.
RICH FURY/ GETTY IMAGES/ SXSW | The simple explanation for Everything Everywhere All At Once is that it's about generational trauma
Lastly, there is Shirley Kurata, nominated for Best Costume Design. Her vision and talent had everyone's heads turning with her costume choices, which enhanced the film's visuals and made it memorable. The song "This Is A Life," written by Gene Scheer and performed by Rebecca Luker, was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. All these talented individuals brought their A-game to make Everything Everywhere a unique, exciting movie-going experience.
