Therapist Reacts to Everything Everywhere All at Once

Does anything we do matter? Or does EVERYTHING we do matter? Or is everything just on a bagel?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright take a look at Jonathan's new favorite film, Everything Everywhere All At Once, to explore themes of family dynamics, forgiveness, the power of kindness, nihilism, love, existential crises, mother-daughter relationships, romantic relationships, and a whole lot more. Because this movie really does have everything. Everywhere. All at once. They talk about the fantastic performances by Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and of course Racacoonie. And how a scene where people have hot dog fingers, or even where they're rocks, can have such an emotional impact.
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Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, and Alan Seawright
Edited by: Sophie Téllez
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis
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[@rebecky5ever]

The line" In another life I would have liked to do laundry and taxes with you"broke me in a new way I've never felt before.

[@Setsunako6587]

BIG same. I cried so many times in this film... Raccacoonieeeeee 😂!!

[@mizixy9624]

One of my favorite lines, ever.

[@maggiealelew]

I’ve watched this movie multiple times and it gets me every time. It made me shoulder shake sob the first time

[@differnet]

The funny part of that is that for their to be another life... there must be something beyond our present existence.

[@laurenandcats]

YES OMG it shattered, and healed, something in me I didn’t know was there. That and the lines about kindness. I saw a lot of myself in Joy. I strive to be more like Waymond

[@stellamoonstone257]

Alan saying "I cannot love things calmly I must love things ferociously" has to be one of the most poetic lines of natural dialogue I've heard in a while

[@kynedyr]

I felt incredibly moved by those words, you are right it was profoundly poetic

[@AW-uv3cb]

yes, and I am stealing it to live by these words. With kindness!

[@kamiliajohnson7430]

It fits my daughter, we've said shes aggressively affectionate since she was a baby.

[@Rose-xs4vf]

Right? Good for Alan! Don't lower your love frequency for anyone!

[@bennyton2560]

us neurodivergent folks

[@mercedesbt1100]

my favourite line of the whole film is "I am no longer willing to do to my daughter what you did to me. How did you let me go so easily?"

[@TheeKittyPie]

I started crying like a baby at that part

[@danktankdragkings7117]

I said these words to myself at 15 I said these words to my father at 20. I am 28 and have a mostly healthy relationship with my folks who used to beat me and call me all sorts of degrading things. THERAPY WORKS.

[@crystalcleara.k.a.missyoko1430]

Yesss

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

@@danktankdragkings7117 damn

[@kevinduckworth3097]

Childhood trauma

[@lizmariemontemayor889]

As someone who grew up hearing that I was too soft and sensitive… waymond’s character really made me feel seen. It’s like they took my inner thoughts and put them in a character. I love this movie so much

[@jennifergsamuels2943]

I so feel the same way. In fact when I was watching him at Oscar’s, it suddenly occurred to me that he is probably born year of the pig. And low and behold he is 1971 year of the pig. Sweet and forgiving, intelligent and wise are the ways of the pig. (Yeah I’m one too) also a person could be born in the hour of the pig. I’m wondering if Brandon Fraser is, ha always had a sweet and gentle side to him.

[@aruhito779]

Same, Hey you might like MBTI 16 personality , There are people like waymond's character call " INFP ". Its really made me happy to see people who can kinda understand what i thinking...

[@irinakate2478]

Don't believe that is a bad thing, its a superpower trust me, you feel things more intensly and have a big compassionate heart which is the best thing human can use to move mountains and oceans, it's a gift just remember that

[@lyannawinter405]

I feel you on every level

[@n2bfw884]

Compassion and love are never weak.

[@TheTongueTwisler]

The fact that just watching random clips of this movie can STILL bring me to tears is a testament to how powerful it is.

[@mac8124]

I WAS CRYING TOO 😭

[@movieswithsammykitty]

Seriously! It’s so incredible.

[@northatlantaeventsllc]

Me tooooooo! My kids were like oh god - you're not even watching the movie right now

[@mariaisabelbaong5294]

Same... hahahah

[@paul_buzz]

Same here 😭

[@sunnyletom]

I loved the fact that the director wanted the protagonist to have undiagnosed ADHD and in the process of researching he realized that he also might have undiagnosed ADHD

[@wendighost]

It's really, really nice to see an accurate representation of what ADHD is like.

[@g.d.graham2446]

Neat

[@cartoondeathnoises8756]

Hopefully now diagnosed ADHD or at least working towards it especially if he's having ADHD related problems

[@QueenElderberry]

That explains why my ADHD brain seemed to love this movie so much lol

[@ot7biasedmashups]

​@@cartoondeathnoises8756 he is diagnosed now!

[@thehopeofeden597]

The crazy thing about that “laundry and taxes“ line is that while the subtitles say “in another life“ the direct translation of what Waymond is saying is _”if there is a next life.”_ He is willing to die and be reborn just to have a measly but happy life with Evelyn. That and the scene with the rocks _absolutely destroyed me._

[@heatherlee2047]

+

[@SallyPhnouk]

That's incredible 🤯

[@Barb.u]

😭😭😭

[@atossamasumpour6834]

omg Im crying again thank you :')

[@chibinecco1981]

Omg, THANK YOU for providing this clarification.

[@azureddreams]

It's amazing how at the start of the movie Evelyn is literally "joyless" in her life and in the end she regains "JOY" back in her life. What a masterpiece.

[@dustynias]

Wow, bravo

[@ximenacelic2451]

Also how that connects to her line “So the great evil Waymond was talking about is in my Joy?” (Sorry if it’s not accurate); like, she’s literally saying the reason she’s joyless it’s because her daughter IS her happiness and she wasn’t focusing on their relationship…the deepness of the line is so amazing and profound…

[@peteryang5056]

@@ximenacelic2451 It also speaks so much to the course of Evelyn's life - how she gave up her dreams right from the outset to marry this man, how she poured her attention into the idea that maybe she could find joy in this laundromat life, how her daughter became a vessel for that hoped-for joy to the point that she *named her daughter that*, in an effort to conjure joy into the reality of her life. To see how her fraying relationship with Joy represents her own failure to find that joy nonetheless. And finally, in the end, to see that the Joy she created is all that matters (because, after all, nothing matters... except what you CHOOSE).

[@mickellbrown3]

This comment is a masterpiece.

[@alexsilva28]

I mean if you say it like that it's a little bit on the nose actually

[@x25violator]

I CRIED so hard at the rock scene where she rolls after her daughter. Then I laughed and cried again. It felt so good

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

That is the appropriate reaction. All the emotions!!

[@cathybruce10]

Haha yes! I only noticed that on the second watch though. So much to take in!

[@Kris95x]

For some reason the rock scene had me tearing up the most. Possibly because it shows how there's only one thing that transcend the power of logic to achieve and reach for what we seek the most: love.

[@alivingpersonudontknowbehi6082]

@@CinemaTherapyShow All at once.

[@josealbarran7202]

Most of people felt this way. I feel really bad for finding all these scenes corny and cheesy. I think I'm emotionally dried or soulless. I need therapy for not liking this movie.

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

I remember watching this for the first time with my Mom. I’ve suffered from chronic depression for over thirteen years and there have been days when I’m sunk into a pit of darkness like Jobu where I just want to be sucked into my own bagel for the pain to stop. Once we finished the movie, my mom teared up and told me that she’s always going to reach into the bagel and pull me out when I get there each time. And that meant so much to me.

[@arih_rih]

that’s so beautiful! thank you for sharing this here

[@XRockgirl]

to feel heard and seen. and cherished, thats everything.

[@5fingerjack]

I think the daughter's journey with emotional wellness as an individual , like yours, is also worth looking at. In therapy you usually get just the estranged parent OR the struggling young adult. Both have their own individual quest to joust with in life. I wish for all of my clients to have parents that would go in the bagel for them, every time.

[@mayuwu4408]

oh wow that got me 😭😭😭😭😭 thank you for sharing this wow LMAO

[@Cansu_LMK]

I watched this movie with my mother. In the first 20 minutes i saw only my mother on Evelyn, and i did so many jokes about it, but my mom was avoiding it. And when Joy asked to go to her mother, mine's said: she is going to say no. And then it hit me,(for real) my mother is Evelyn without the character improvement. The worst is, after all this, she still in the end of the movie try to hug me. Tough. I didn't wanted her being like "minha filha" - My daughter in portuguese. I wanted just my mom actually seeing me.

[@sofialozano24601]

I don't have the best relationship with my mom and that last scene where Joy tells her mom "I'm tired. I want to stop hurting but every time I'm with you it just hurts us both" broke me in a way I never thought imaginable. The mom's response was EXACTLY what I wish my mom would say to me and exactly what I needed to hear. I watched this movie with my mom and I turned to her in that scene; she was fast asleep while I was bawling. The fact this movie wasn't Jobu Topahki trying to kill Evelyn but a daughter who is hurt and depressed just wanting her mom to understand her and support her ... this movie is my therapy. Please please please do a mother-daughter episode of this movie.

[@ellaevangelista2844]

Sofia you took the words right out of my mouth! I actually experienced something very similar to this as well. I was beyond broken by this movie especially with my relationship with my mom so much so I also took her to see this movie and she just couldn’t get past some of the more ehem absurd scenes lol and she was on her phone most of the Time. Nevertheless this movie was so incredibly healing for me as well. -Guys please do a mother daughter episode!

[@foggyfrogy]

I don't actually have a bad relationship with my mom, but we just don't have anything in common and most of the time I just bore her even tho she would never tell me this. It's sad knowing I can't watch this movie with her while knowing she won't appreciate it and afterwards it will just hurt me more.

[@ksy4747]

I am so sorry for all of you...my heart breaks for all of you. I'm sure your mothers have some kind of wound of their own and their defense mechanism prevents them from seeing you and what you are trying to communicate to your mothers. It also takes time for any message to penetratr fully, so don't give up on your moms. They might change or at least be open to change down the line, but if it really hurts too much remember to hold yourselves sacred and to give yourselves that motherly love ypu crave and missed out on. I love you and sending you all motherly love and hugs. 💛🤗🤗🤗💛

[@Myaccount923]

@@foggyfrogy her own child should never bore her. If she considers you boring then she is boring too 🤷🏽‍♀️ even if you have different interests, your mother should always take initiative to share and participate in your interests. I don’t know how old you are or how ready you are to hear this, but stop making excuses for toxic parents. No matter how minuscule their toxicity might seem, it never is coming from your foundation (your parents). And you saying she won’t appreciate this movie even watching it with you is a hint…

[@shaine0210]

Yes! A mother daughter therapy please, I also had a bad relationship with my mom, and the moment Evelyn apologized to Joy crushed me so hard, all I want is a sorry like that but I never have the chance. As I grew up in a Taiwanese immigrant family, being queer, suffering from depression , this movie speaks for me in so many levels.

[@spicystrawberri]

The fact that everyone thought Evelyn was misremembering Racacooni, then it was revealed that she knew it from a different her was brilliant.

[@sheepysnowtato824]

Ikr! XD My literal first thought was, “Oh, so it’s different in her universe? That’s so co.ol! :0”

[@chriserony]

No, remember it’s your thoughts that lead you to a different universes. She has to imagine where she’s going. So she mis-remembered Rattitoui as having a raccoon in it and went to the raccoon universe instead lol

[@wesleywallace4426]

@@chriserony It’s Everything Everywhere All AT Once. I prefer to think all versions of yourself are living concurrently so it was easier for her to think Raccoon rather than Rat.

[@misantrope6267]

@@wesleywallace4426 why would it be easier for her to think raccoon when everything happens at the same time? She could have also thought of a rat, squid or anything else, because it all exists

[@angelav4401]

​@@misantrope6267 In the movie they jump to universes that are "nearby," so maybe the raccoon version of Raccacooni was clearer in her memory than the squid version

[@mydogisoscarthegrouch]

Everyone's just trying to survive. Kindness in this movie is courageous and loud, and I want to choose that for my life. It's not a bold choice in American culture, where everyone's fighting to shout louder, but this movie reframed my mindset on gentleness and kindness "This is how I fight"

[@dietotaku]

"this is how i fight" is as much of a soul-shattering immutable truth for me as moana telling te ka "this does not define you."

[@IndigoBellyDance]

Honestly, I’m a American and I chose as a young adult to fight thru sunshine and happiness:)

[@2degucitas]

My personal philosophy is: every time you do a kindness, evil gets an ass kick

[@pw.70]

Start a movement - do something special for two people everyday, but ask them, as a thank-you, to do something special for two people themselves everyday.

[@genghiscan2918]

@@pw.70 hey, I kinda do the same thing, except replace "do something special" with "scare"

[@morganleanderblake678]

The line, "Be kind. Especially when we don't know what's going on." Feels like it came out of March 2020 and punched me in the face for like three weeks after watching this movie. I have so many feelings about Waymon, but he's amazing and that's the most important takeaway.

[@morganleanderblake678]

rofl also I adore how Jono has to add "and 15 minutes" every time.

[@elayea7642]

I would also love to see a video talking about the healthy non-toxic masculinity that Waymond portrays! He’s the heart of the story and it’s such a breath of fresh air!

[@merpaca]

Yes! Though Pop Culture Detective has already done a really good one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWi8n5V9qN-WmJo

[@ludmilamaiolini6811]

@@merpaca I was going to mention that!

[@Cakeontheroof]

Yes please @CinemaTherapy

[@kok-fh6xm]

Accented cinema has done an amazing video on this

[@grizz6103]

AN EXCELLENT IDEA!!! Please do this

[@rociogallegossanchez]

We watched this at a family gathering yesterday, I find it funny how my cousins and I were completely blown away by this movie and pretty sure would've been in tears if we weren't surrounded by people, and then all of our parents and the older generation were like "that was a really stupid movie, I didn't like it a single bit". If that doesn't shout generational walls, I don't know what does lol

[@positiviteee]

Lol right? I watched this with my family and my mom said it was a "disrespect to movies." It seems a lot of people from older generations really don't like it and younger generations absolutely adore it

[@zengamer21]

My therapist didn't really like it. He's not my therapist anymore.

[@robertaalves7795]

The older folks in my family had a hard time following the story 🙃

[@booklover357]

lollllll same tho my mom was more courteous and said she could see how it's a good movie but it wasn't her kind of movie. she lit said she could feel the generational gap btw us lmao

[@jaayro]

@@positiviteee lool my parents were mad at the daughter for being disrespectful to her parents and grandparent

[@PneumaNoose]

I just have to point out how FKN AMAZING Stephanie Hsu is. Everyone seems to be getting so much praise EXCEPT her (including with the lack of nominations for her). That scene where she starts singing “sucked into a bagel”… I get fkn CHILLS every time I see it. It’s comedic yet she is delivering a stone cold serious performance in that moment. Did anyone even notice the tear that falls from her lifeless face? She is delivering one of the most profound expressions of PAIN I have EVER seen in my life… all within a scene that is intended to have a comedic tone. She. Is. BRILLIANT.

[@phi1105]

She is an icon. A legend. The moment.

[@korganrocks3995]

Awards are sadly more about more than individual performances, which is why it comes as no surprise to me that the nominations would go to the actress who has been turning in quality performances for a long time and the former child actor who is making a comeback rather than to the relatively unknown young actress, even though I personally thought all three of them were equally amazing.

[@PneumaNoose]

@@korganrocks3995 I’m not saying in comparison to Michelle Yeoh. Nothing can touch her and she deserved the recognition decades ago. I’m referring to the collective of many many different types of awards an actor can be nominated for any performance.

[@korganrocks3995]

@@PneumaNoose I wasn't saying in comparison to Michelle Yeoh either, just pointing out that young actors tend to not get the recognition they deserve until years or decades later when they've built up a resumé of quality roles. I definitely think it's stupid, but I'm never surprised when I see it.

[@TheNumberScott]

But, she did get nominated for an Oscar…

[@merpaca]

Can we please acknowledge that Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are showing such incredible range as actors *while* fluently switching between THREE LANGUAGES? This is my favorite movie of all time.

[@nc_2873]

I cannot express enough how this made me feel so at home and a movie that finally felt like it was made for people like me. Switching between three or even four languages is very common where I live, it's just a part of our daily lives, we don't think about how odd it is, it just is. My parents are like that, they will switch between english, mandarin and cantonese with such ease, this movie is just brilliant in how relatable it is.

[@KhuestionableDecisions]

I’m gonna sound stupid but there were 3 languages? Was it english, mandarin and cantonese or something?

[@flyushkifly]

@@KhuestionableDecisions yes!

[@merpaca]

@@KhuestionableDecisions Yep, that's right. And though they are both "Chinese," Mandarin and Cantonese are actually mutually unintelligible--they really are different languages.

[@KhuestionableDecisions]

@@merpaca thanks! I didn’t realize they used both dialects in this movie. I just assumed that a chinese person would only need to use one or the other, depending where they’re from

[@bigorangecone]

Everyone talks about the line "In another life I would have liked doing laundry and taxes with you", but as a daughter with a rocky relationship with her mother, the line of "I will always want to be here with you" just breaks my heart. BRB need tissues.

[@lawlznet]

same...

[@NumLokke]

Hah, "rocky" I see what you did there

[@ppjctotoro]

Same!!!! It’s like The Runaway Bunny. No matter how far you run, I will never give up on you, cos I’m your mother and I will always love you.

[@pizzawashere8940]

I cried during her whole speech. Never have I watched a movie that related so hard to my relationship with my mother

[@nelsonta00]

I like the laundry quote simply because it meant he would've gave up everything he has just to be with her even if the life is mediocre. Its really just another way to say "I will always want to be with you" but with the husband instead.

[@kurobako]

Chinese here. When I heard Joy saying the line, "Where your daughter is more than just this", it hurt me so much. There's so much genuine exploration of generational trauma in Asian families in this film, really amazing.

[@jimmygreer2140]

You could even delve into the psyche of Asian female relationships. The Chinese culture is infamous of the "I'm sorry. It's a girl" mentality of society. But there's a lot of it in the other cultures too. Like in Japan a female student was expelled from school cause her hair was "too brown" and she MUST'VE dyed it...and how their society "grooms" their girls to be a certain way. Must look a certain way, must behave a certain way, etc. And the boys.....not so much, or not nearly as much. But the things Asian women must deal with because their society is still very much male-centric patriarchy can be an entire psychological video essay topic.

[@WiseSageBum]

I'm Indian, and the feeling of shame that we might be letting our parents down is REAL

[@daffyrwt]

"I cannot love things calmly, I must love things ferociously" - Alan.... that needs to be made into a shirt PRONTO!!!!

[@AnInsideJoke]

It's basically a neurodivergent motto too, hyperfixations in a nutshell.

[@daffyrwt]

@@AnInsideJoke i actually didn't know that, but makes sense which makes it resonate all that much more.

[@katababinszki8883]

YESSSS please!!!

[@LittleHobbit13]

@@AnInsideJoke Lol, yuuuuup.

[@constancep7632]

I would buy one!

[@PAULIVenezuela]

In my teens I felt this "emptyness" that was later confirmed as depression, and had many issue with my mom so I connected a lot with Joy... fast-forward to my early 20s I got my life on track and everything started to feel right... a year later both my parents died on a car accident. When I saw this movie I started crying and said to my husband "in another time, another universe, my mom, dad and my brother are watching this movie and for some reason, that idea brings me joy"

[@tracy4290]

That is and was a LOT to happen to you!

[@marinanolastname5535]

That’s beautiful thanks for sharing that

[@MoniqueLawGEN1-3]

And they are…

[@samuelnunes4028]

This movie is about finding meaning in every step we take and every sight we watch, and it hits us so much with every possibility it thought of that we kinda realise that life is what we make of it. I am sure that your family is thinking about seeing this movie with you, somewher in the infinite cosmos, and they are happy that you thought about them.

[@g.d.graham2446]

I can only imagine

[@yarmen909]

I related way to hard to the struggles of Joy. The spiraling well of nihilism and depression and the problems with her mother hit me too hard. When Joy said “But I’m tired. I don’t wanna hurt anymore and for some reason with I’m with you it just hurts the both of us.” That hit me so deep because I’ve felt that exact feeling before. I don’t feel attached to anything anymore and the one thing that has kept me going in times of facing death was the little things, breathing air, watching the clouds move, listening to rain and seeing leaves blow in the wind. That’s what kept me going. One of the messages of the movie is that nothing matters so you get to decide what matters to you in your life and that really shifted my jaded perspective. This will definitely be one of my go-to moves to lift me up.

[@wild..mere..]

Same, to everything you said. I'm here for the trees, the breeze, the stars, and the sky.

[@idlevalley]

Every 'like' is someone going through the same thing. Words cannot express how much we empathize with you. You are not alone. Your story makes me feel a little stronger in our shared experiences. All of us, for that matter. Thank you for sharing.

[@blanqui2040]

Those little things you realized were there is actually "living in the present moment", and it's one of the main motives in this movie.. it is inspired on Chinese philosophy and spirituality and that's why it hits so deep. It has a lot of important messages that you can see if you pay enough attention

[@heartfreckle2913]

you described all of it perfectly. i actually developed a love for photography because of those little moments, a reminder that there is so much to appreciate when things get bad if you will :)

[@bennyton2560]

This is why I love "Soul" as well, just wanna watch the falling of leaves

[@lilliemucha6419]

If you do a villain therapy on Dierdre, please please address that the disgust the audience feels about the hot dog world mirrors the disgust Evelyn feels about homosexuality and learns to change her mind about. It was very impactful to me and I think many people don't understand the importance of the hot dog fingers and how they relate to Evelyn's experience of homophobia. I haven't seen a single other film that gets the audience to relate to that state of mind in such a subtle and accurate way

[@ppjctotoro]

Good point!! The hot dog fingers is a good analogy for homophobia - people are like ewww, gross and how could they live like that. It seems like an odd parody joke but then they find the beauty in the relationships in hot dog world anyhow.

[@swimmyswim417]

I think it’s also a great callback to the first “tell Deirdre you love her, and mean it” joke from earlier. Because there is a world in which that makes total sense, and while it’s played for absurdity in the moment, it foreshadows how the thing that ultimately solves this mess is love and acceptance and compassion.

[@briansmyth4010]

Wow! Thank you for your insight and comment.

[@Jumpoable]

OMG lol I didn't think about it like that

[@ppjctotoro]

@@swimmyswim417 well put!

[@mariatrujillohueso7729]

Waymond's message of "We need to be kind. Please be kind. Especially when we dont know whats going on" reminds me of how Patton Oswalt said that he is always trying to find a bigger meaning to Life, and that his late wife Michelle McNamara was a nihilist, but her motto was "(Everything/Life) is chaos. Be kind". It got me right in the feels

[@pvoss3073]

that fat creep murdered his wife lmao

[@GalacticSageErin]

Same here 💜

[@soulscyther666]

"be kind, especially when we don't know what's going on." Be compassionate, especially to people that you don't know what their story is about. Regardless of our similarities and difference, and especially the lack of knowing, we should be kind to others by default.

[@msp5138]

Easy to be kind when the US has 4% of the population and 30% of the worlds resource. Easy to be kind when the US has over 600 military bases in the world and invades every country whenever they want to.

[@otherhand]

For me it recalls Peter Capaldi's Doctor Who. That period of the show had a lot of misses, but when it hit, it hit hard and his "just be kind" ethos was a big part of why.

[@baki2814]

I just love the random scenes where alan and jono turn into a thumb with a face or a bagel with a wig. staying true to Everything Everywhere All At Once

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Our editor on this one (Sophie) knocked it out of the park!

[@miriamrosemary9110]

I loved those so much! Sophie - you are an editing treasure

[@gudinesangelicau]

tysm Sophie💅

[@Datenauflauf]

For me it's kinda hard to listen to the words you say when I have to think about why there is a thumb talking to me at the same time. 🤨

[@bloodbuffy]

Midway through the film (when Joy fights random security guards and reveals that she's a villain), my fiance turned around to me and jokingly said "this is what I imagine your brain looks like", and when the credits rolled I admitted, "yeah, an exploration of ADHD, nihilism, depression, and anxiety." I was actually stunned to find out that Evelyn was initially written to have undiagnosed adult ADHD - the attention shifts, the feeling of being pulled apart, overwhelmed, the mourning of underachieved potential until... something matters all of a sudden. It's beautiful.

[@RisaPlays]

That take hits hard. Wow. I feel that.

[@ikani1]

I've seen this movie a good dozen times now and watched plenty of reaction and analysis vids on it, and I'm just now making the connection on ADHD. Thank you for mentioning it!

[@angelthedemon666]

i took it personally more like a schizophrenic experience as im schizophrenic because attention deficits, literally seeing and interacting in unreal settings, paranoia, but thats just me relating to my own mind but definitely this movie can be seen from a mental illness perspective

[@hatesBarney4life]

Adult ADHD and this movie touched me deeply and this is likely a huge part of why it did. Where did you see Evelyn was originally written to have undiagnosed ADHD???

[@bloodbuffy]

@@hatesBarney4life I think it was on the wiki somewhere!

[@zakisok6844]

That line “then I will cherish, these few specks of time” makes me cry like a baby and I don’t know why but it just gets me

[@HeatherJinmaku]

The moment Ke Huy Quan appeared on the screen, I just cried. As an Asian who rarely saw positive representation, or often any representation at all, it was like seeing an old friend. And I can’t blame him for stepping away when the roles were such stereotypes back then, and why he didn’t want to be another Asian actor trapped doing Long Duck Dong style caricatures.

[@sulaf604]

I completely agree! As a POC, I’ve seen many non-white actors have to take offensive or stereotypical roles bc that’s all that was offered, and no shade to them. However, him saying to the industry “if you only want me in yellow face speaking gibberish, then you don’t get to have me” is a HUGE power move. So glad he’s back in the movie world now bc he is SO GOOD

[@gen_li7725]

Waymond was one of the most moving characters for me almost instantly because it was the first time I saw an Asian man in a movie who wasn’t a joke or stereotype in some way. And I saw my dad in him.. So it built and broke my heart altogether

[@daltonlee5839]

I can’t remember the last time a movie made me put this much thought into my own existence. Such an entertaining, impactful, beautiful, and important film.

[@thekyrianne]

Something you didn’t mention (maybe didn’t know!) is that the flipside of the nihilism coin present in this movie is Zen Buddhism-which is also a philosophy that says nothing matters, but focuses on, instead of existentialism, the present moment and how beautiful and wonderful each insignificant thing is. Appreciating things for what they are instead of what they can be, taking that time to stay grounded in the present because that’s all there is. Most importantly for this movie, one of the meditative practices of Zen Buddhist monks is a calligraphy practice called ensō, which is drawing a circle to exist in creation and that tactility without needing a particular visual product at the end, or aiming for any level of perfection. A black circle, much like the Everything Bagel.

[@made.online2149]

It's Camus' form of Absurdism, though Buddhism came to similar conclusions much earlier in history.

[@romy8043]

correct me if i'm wrong but wouldn't the movie be exploring absurdism camus' specifically

[@roberttramone9967]

Imma just copy and paste my journal entry from this vid as a shout to the void: You use to be so much more proudly atheist. Now you lean towards reincarnation and Buddhism. There's intentions behind your actions (to get a better next shot) instead of using your previously trusted instincts (and accepting you only have one life). You basically accepted you failed this life. At 22... Wtf... You use to give 60 year olds hope... New music... New foods... You literally panicked and told them "have you tried jalapenos and pistachio ice cream? no? Well now aren't you curious?" People then thanked you, sometimes while cry laughing for your bizzare perspective and were relieved someone didn't wanna change them... (I've been in isolation for two years and I'm trying to get skills and memories back). NOT a shout to the void: I really wanna get into Buddhism, but I have no clue where to start, other than mediation and acceptance of things you cant change, are there any books or links you (the reader) have to share about Buddhism?

[@ukiyo12117]

@@roberttramone9967 I'm here just to say you didn't shout into the void, I appreciated reading your comment. Unfortunately I'm also not sure where would be a good place for a beginner to start (but I also want to!) However I wanted to share 2 glimpses of it that stuck with me that made me want to go deeper: 1) I don't know if you've watched it but on the ending of The Good Place series, there's this character Chidi who explains the concept of death to Buddhists and it's so beautiful to me (the scene is on KZbin) 2) There's a book called The Whole Earth and the Infinite Sky, which is fictional but Buddhism permeates the narrative. The writer studied some books and texts that are mentioned at the end of the book

[@rakitoon]

@@roberttramone9967 From out here in the void, I just want to say that I value very highly, stranger, your sharing those private thoughts with ... well with me, just to speak for myself.

[@TheBlackSheepMM]

Throughout the movie the fighting style she is using is called Wing Chun. It is a completely defensive fighting style based on using your opponents momentum against themselves as a defense instead of offensively hiring them. It is a very nice subtle wink at the entire point he makes at the end of the film! 😁

[@gwarlow]

Bruce Lee was a student of this style, until he developed his own.

[@keliniajohnson9397]

It is a soft style of Martial arts that was created by a woman.

[@TheBlackSheepMM]

@@keliniajohnson9397 👆

[@crying2emoji5]

I thought her fighting style looked familiar! It reminded me of Ip Man!

[@aspillust]

my parents and i both learned wing chun at some point actually! they stuck with it far longer than i did and are much better at it than me though lol

[@theopkingdom3433]

As a 45 year old woman, it was awesome to be the hero & to have a story. We are usually invisible. This was cool.

[@jamieohjamie]

If this movie is not nominated for hundreds of awards, I will lose faith in the award circuit. EVERYTHING deserves an award here. Editing, acting, support acting, original screenplay, directing, effects, BEST MOVIE

[@emmagination444]

To be fair the academy is just a bunch of old white people so I don’t let them determine what is and isn’t good art. It’s arbitrary to be honest.

[@LazGato]

The awards have never been fair. They have their bias. They are just a big circle jerk for Hollywood to pat itself in the back.

[@gpeddino]

BEST EVERYTHING.

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@ M-K-L Faith . . .hmm

[@leewindy-19]

@@emmagination444 ikr. Like the parasite from South korea. Don't get me wrong it a really amazing movie but it wouldn't win if those white guys didn't see money in korean film making

[@tyghe_bright]

I've never seen a movie that captures the kind of existential depression I've often struggled with, and the effect of being overwhelmed by information and stimulus constantly in the internet age. Not to mention the brilliance of the cinematography and the effects and the editing. And, of course, the acting. And Waymond is my hero. A perfect model of gentle masculinity. (Also, I *live* for that whole Wong Kar Wai sequence. So beautiful.)

[@rchaselius3923]

All I can say is Me Too. Be Kind, friend.

[@joshualawrence2963]

That was definitely my experience too. It really connected with me, regarding nihilism.

[@surreallane9730]

I feel you, I been going through that since I was 3. This movie has hit so many things for me. I wish it was there for one of my worst cycles of depression, but I'm glad it's here today.

[@BirdMoose]

I'm not sure I've ever cried as hard from a movie as I did during Waymond's speech(s). It is the most perfect positive masculinity I have ever seen across media. More than just the first time this movie and the many moments across it still bring up emotions on repeat watches.

[@tanadarko6991]

You should check out Pop Culture Detective who takes like 20 minutes exploring Waymond and positive masculinity, it's excellent.

[@nairrdlairrd]

Amen!!! It brings me so much joy to see that portrayed onscreen. I love how they play into the traditional mindset about people like Waymond and then make it into his superpower. Masculinity doesn’t have to be aggressive. It can and should be kind.

[@mendez5525]

As someone who is an atheist but also a Buddhist "I will cherish these few specks of time" really hit me hard. Even if there is no meaning or purpose, the fact that we are here to live is a miracle in itself. We can make everything meaningful just by being present, and it is such a gift to experience everything, everywhere, all at once.

[@gen2mediainc.577]

perfectly put😊

[@ashleyhaumschild2655]

Same as how I feel. You put that very well.

[@kelliehuynh]

Buddhism is an atheist religion :)

[@leewindy-19]

Don't be mad at me but there's no such thing as an atheist but a Buddhist. Maybe you are agnostic, someone who's believing in a creator but does not believe in the religion

[@mendez5525]

@@leewindy-19 I say atheist as in not believing in Gods or deities (Buddhas are not revered as such, they are viewed as teachers who have reached enlightenment). Our existence could just be random energy and particles, I don't know, and I don't need to know in order to enjoy life (I'm not looking or waiting for an answer). Religion to me should focus more on humanity rather than the unknown purpose of life because we can decide that for ourselves.

[@mandipandi303]

If the entire cast doesn't get nominated for Oscar for their performances, I will be FURIOUS. This film deserves nominations in EVERY category. I saw this 3 times in theatres and bought the Blu-ray. I'd watch you do 500 more episodes on this movie.

[@blade7y156]

It deserves to win almost ALL categories ! I said 'almost' because animation is impossible, and best vfx will likely go to Avatar 2.

[@mandipandi303]

@@blade7y156 I totally agree. There isn't a single thing I would change about this movie. But yeah, I'm anticipating Avatar 2 winning the visual and probably sound design awards as well.

[@galaxytraveler546]

I saw it twice in theaters then again digitally all in the same month 😭 it’s gonna be hard for a group of people to top this movie in the future

[@ladyreverie7027]

It really deserves all the awards. Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Director

[@mandipandi303]

@@ladyreverie7027 I totally agree.

[@christianpatterson6499]

I totally agree that it feels like we’ve been robbed of Ke Huy Quan’s potential acting work for decades. But to Alpha Waymond’s point, every setback, rejection, and disappointment has led to this moment in time where we have this masterclass of a performance in a masterpiece of a film. Would this film even be what it is without Quan having endured what he did? EEAAO can be so meta when viewed through various lenses like this. I can’t wait to see what these phenomenal actors do next. Also, love these takes on the film 👍🏼 I shed tears all over again with each reaction video I watch.

[@wahn10]

This is so insightful and well put. It took KHQ 30 years to realize the character of Waymond and boy was it worth the wait. His performance was a revelation.

[@AC313_]

quite amazing what you just wrote.

[@walden6272]

When Ke Huy Quan was finally ready to give acting another shot. He called up his agent and in just 2 weeks, this role of Waymond was offer to him. The stars were align my friends. He was meant to play it.

[@WiseSageBum]

I wonder how much of the "untapped potential" parts were included once the writer-director realized they could get Ke Huy Quan after he announced his comeback

[@jjn6914]

Crazy Rich Asians and Key Quan's resurgence in film are actually making me want to try acting again. As an Asian-American woman who had a talent agent for 3 years back when I was in college hoping to make it to support my family financially, the roles I auditioned for back then left me feeling bereft of hope. This movie makes me want to dream again.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Go for it!

[@bryanabarca9860]

Yes please do!

[@ubersc00ber]

I wanna see you in a movie one day!!!

[@j.l.2849]

Do it!

[@SheDrawsSometimes]

PLEASE!!! WE NEED MORE ASIAN AMERICAN REP ON SCREEN!!

[@Bibliophile_pixie]

19:50 the rock scene, of just them and the speech bubbles, had me sobbing. Like, covering my mouth to not to ruin the moment for everyone else in the theater. It’s such a ridiculous concept and silent scene but it just broke me.

"Just be a rock"

[@theFimcos]

it`s not ridiculous, it`s the most amazing accomplishment in Film making, to have a still scene wit two f**king Rocks and it`s one of the most emotional scene in Cinema History!

[@bowsercastle]

the part where the rock turns to reveal googly eyes and evelyn starts chasing joy cut with the scene of young evelyn chasing baby joy through the laundromat made me SOB

[@kalplays9922]

When Evelyn-rock falls off the cliff after Joy-rock 😭😭😭

[@chriskelly3481]

The silence is intimidating and focusing... as utterly bonkers as the concept and scene is.

[@goldenthyme13]

For me, this movie came out very shortly after I got my ADHD diagnosis as an adult and was coming to terms with it, and having characters that were explicitly written as ADHD and a writer/director who found out in the course of making this movie that he has ADHD was very important to me.

[@scottrivas2714]

SAAAAAAAAAME

[@demoige7948]

So true! I have ADHD, too and think the sheer speed of the film represents the (visual) overflow we can have perfectly.

[@kassandraglueck2794]

Yeah everyone in all my ADHD circles is bonkers over this movie, because they can actually see their own brains in a movie. Also love thinking about how this movie literally taught the director they have ADHD. That was probably a great "wait, what?' moment for them

[@birdajet]

Yesss! This! My bf and i have adhd and we didnt kno about the directors adhd so we went in and were like "yo... this is how my brain feels like to me :o" to each other 😂😂so to find out after that thats prob why was a really cool feeling

[@M-WG]

I’m trying to get screened as an adult and did not know this! I feel better knowing that!

[@Mavakor]

Could you please do a villain therapy episode for Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki? I actually think Stephanie Hsu was the MVP here as I've never seen an actor do such a perfect job of portraying depression. Depression is not about being weepy, it's complete emotional oblivion and she just kills it in the role

[@WaftingCurtains]

YES PLEASE

[@NatManzano]

So true

[@IceMetalPunk]

In my experience with depression, the weeping comes *after* the depressive episodes, and it's tears of a sudden rush of relief that you thought you'd never feel again.

[@foxinabox5103]

@@IceMetalPunk its the feeling of unclogging the blocked up stream, but on the inside you know that this is not everything. Something's still stuck

[@Emily-tl3gj]

If you watch Ke's recent interviews, it's not that there weren't roles for him; Hollywood didn't want him, and the way you describe it almost does a disservice to his experiences because he tried so hard to find something. It's so great to see him have a resurgence.

[@kokopelli434]

The line “I’m learning to fight like you” had me sobbing

[@nursebridgie]

Waymond is my hero ❤

[@gzapray7203]

The rock scene, unbelievably, is the part where the waterworks have started in my first watch in that movie. This has to be the first time Evelyn and Jobu/Joy can finally sit together and look each other in the eye without going down into miscommunication, unsaid words, and killing each other. Most especially when Rock Evelyn is trying to reach out for her daughter. God, no one will ever believe me if I told them that the saddest scene I ever watched in a film is the part where a pair of rocks discussed humanity's place in the world and how they have a heartfelt talk between mother and daughter.

[@harriet.z]

I was not ready for the rocks ;-;

[@chamorvenigo]

The rock scene is when the protagonist hits rock bottom.

[@gzapray7203]

@@chamorvenigo RIMSHOT But seriously speaking it is, since before the rock scene, all Evelyns across all multiverses were having a nasty breakdown after seeing the Bagel's hole. After that mess of a scene, the rock scene is a perfect respite.

[@Mendoxs_]

the "I'm going to get you!!" had me crying laughing 😭😂

[@Rozzimozzilino]

My mom and I watched this together in the cinema. We were holding hands and weeping for basically the last half of the movie. We both knew we had a tough time when I was a kid. We didn't have the ways to communicate it until we saw this together. This film healed us and I saw that we were both the daughter and both the mother. The fact that it's up for Oscars like it it is is effing amazing for women's relationships onscreen.

[@CB-ln2eb]

Oh my goodness I love this for you both. 🙏

[@CB-ln2eb]

Oh my goodness I love this for you both. 🙏

[@nohandle237]

I’ll share this movie with my daughter when she gets older a bit… It tells so much that I can’t express.

[@invisibleaccount9284]

I just realized the bagel is a metaphor for Joy. In her universe, her mom put everything on her. So much pressure. And what you get was this. Jolulokabi, a person who feels like nothing matters

[@KSouthworth]

'The most movie ever in a movie.' LOVE THAT. I am the mother of a nearly teenage daughter. So I saw it through that lens. When they become rocks then the mom puts on googly eyes to chase her daughter with the daughter yelling at her to keep away, I nearly jumped out of my seat. ...I've been the teenager struggling to understand an uncaring universe and the mom struggling to reach her daughter through the confusion and pain. I've been the rejected daughter and the rejected mom. And I have the life partner who stays with me through the insanity. Somehow. Nothing matters so the smallest act of kindness can be EVERYTHING.

[@kevmagill5163]

That was beautifully said

[@KSouthworth]

@@kevmagill5163 thank you 😊

[@Fakeaorta]

Great last name! I have the same last name!

[@mjw1111]

Everyone that has empathy weeps when watching this film. I've cried every time I've watched reaction videos. I hope this film, the directors, the editors, the composer, the set designer, the customers, and the actors win everything at the Oscars. I love how much exposure this film is getting. Now more than ever we need reminders to be kind and choose love.

[@IncandescentLightbulb00]

I totally second this. To me this could totally be the time where they show up with one envelope and say “everything everywhere all at once wins everything everywhere all at once, thank you good night” I wouldn’t even blink. I haven’t seen such an amazing movie in forever. I feel that it’s especially refreshing since we are seemingly living the life of regurgitated garbage being produced instead of people coming up with novel ideas. To me this movie set a bar extremely high.

[@TehMomo_]

THIS MOVIE GOT ME CRYING OVER ROCKS FALLING OFF A CLIFF. LIKE WTF.

[@EveBatStudios]

This movie made me and my Fiance cry so hard. Right in the "wishing you could heal generation parental trauma" button

[@Setsunako6587]

🤔... but you can, tho. Our elders get to choose whether or not to heal, and so do we. The second you start making different choices than your parents is the moment the cycle stops, one nasty behavior pattern at a time :)

[@EveBatStudios]

@@Setsunako6587 You misunderstand my meaning but I understand your positive intention. I don't mean the cycle as it continues in us as we understand how to address this. Its wishing we could reach back in time and give our parents the tools they needed to heal themselves then or now. Wishing we could have that kind of healing and growing together experiences as in the movie. Some of our parents are still working through a lot of ignorance and not amount of breaking the cycle can give us back that feeling of connection to those we love. Like you said, our elders need to choose to heal too

[@garcatnancy]

Growing up in Taiwan, being told that you are getting fat from your mom or relatives, meaning that they care about you and your health. It resonates so much as an Asian kid, feeling like your mom criticises your figure and not being supportive, it is heartbreaking. 😢

[@MsWinterlife]

Our parents tend to expect us to understand all the cultural nuances without being taught about them, and they get really upset when we don’t get their way of expressing love through blunt criticism… my cousin was loved so much by her mom this way, that she ended up with anorexia and heart problems so severe that she was hospitalised during high school, and has never been able to concentrate on building herself up again since then. These days my aunt just wants her daughter to be alive and healthy, and I feel that for most Asian parents they only have two standards for their kids: be the very best in the world, or just existing…

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

This isn’t just Asian. My very southern great aunt frames it as “when did you get so fat?” As if it’s an actual question. Like, I don’t know, last week?

[@blurted_opinions]

There is so much to unpack- waymond's masculinity, joy's depression, expression of emotions in asian families, etc. You can just turn the whole channel into just its breakdown and there will still be more.

[@auldthymer]

I'm still chewing on the idea of having so much power because of failing at everything.

[@Setsunako6587]

In my house, we *STAN* Waymond's Masculinity 🙌🏾

[@ValerieEnriquez]

I saw a video essay once discussing the idea of "tender masculinity" as an antidote to toxic masculinity. Tender masculinity is kind, nurturing, protective, empathetic, leads without being domineering or bullying. I just love how Waymond models this even in his "cool Tony Leung-like businessman in a Wong Kar Wai universe" version.

[@landofthehazymist]

@@auldthymer fr does that mean u have less power bc u suceeded

[@FairySushi]

My mum passed away a few months before this film came out. She was an Indonesian first gen immigrant with the hard working always working attitude. When Evelyn says “I will always always want to be here with you” absolutely broke me, I know if she were still around my mum would say exactly the same and one of the biggest sadnesses of her passing is that I won’t ever be able to watch this film with her. Easily my favourite film of the year if not for a very long time.

[@donparker6679]

Not to bring the mood down even further, but my mom died shortly after this movie came to streaming, and I remember one of my regrets was the movies we didn’t get to share; this movie, at the top of that list. I think of my mom daily, and whenever I do, I feel how much she loves me, how proud she is of me, and how much she wants me to succeed.

[@isisandxerxes]

My mom passed a couple months ago as well, and seeing the relationship between Evelyn and Joy helped my heart a lot through this process. I hope you're healing and you have support in this time, and I'll keep your family in my prayers 💖

[@SteebMo]

I would love a multi-part series just on this movie.... it's so multi-faceted that I think it deserves way more attention!

[@sammael8472]

Waymond is the kind of person that makes other people want to be better people. He is absolutely priceless.

[@bilbobaggins5322]

I need ALL the videos on this. Couples therapy, family therapy, villain therapy, all of it. Love you guys!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Thanks, Bilbo!

[@quietestkitten]

Hundred percent agreed

[@TheeKittyPie]

@@CinemaTherapyShow yes indeed please keep talking about this movie forever

[@miriamrosemary9110]

YES. We need MORE.

[@mykodibear17]

1000000% this!

[@Denashi]

Damnit... Waymond pleading everyone to please be kind, just kicks me right in the feels... every... single... time! 😭 This is an absolutely incredible movie!

[@OrAngeAnArchy]

When i hear Waymond say Be Kind, my mind finishes with "rewind."

[@ladyreverie7027]

And then when she sees him anew and remembers all the sweet quirky moments of his behaviour and sees it for the bravery and beauty that it is. So many chills.

[@amada.ana.robles]

if you’re going to do Evelyn and Joy mom/daughter therapy I highly recommend bringing on a female Asian guest to explain the distinction of Asian mom daughter dynamics

[@strxwberriecake]

YES PLEASE

[@levytate2450]

I'm not Asian but even I got how Asian mom that line about getting fat was lmao. They for sure need someone to delve deep into the Asian mom-daughter stuff head on and give us more nuance about that!

[@kevmagill5163]

ooooo....that would add a very cool angle to the episode

[@Foxesneedtobetamed]

YESSSS🎉🎉🎉

[@dianaclaros8031]

That's a great idea

[@MindfulTatiana]

Quan's wife is the one person he said who never gave up on his acting career potential and kept inspiring him. He said in his Oscar speech that he survived suicidal ideation from believing he was a washed up child star. To see what he overcame is beautiful and just shows you can't let temporary feelings make permanent decisions.

[@JackMValentine]

One pair of reactors I watch described this movie as "We've been away at college consuming a lot of junk food media and we just came home for the holidays and got a full Thanksgiving feast". And you know, that is a pretty good way to describe it.

[@PaulGuy]

This film shows that it's still possible to make films that are actually art. I hope its success means that it'll happen more often. This film was amazing. And I'm so glad Jamie Lee Curtis chose to do this film, it was so out there, and she was an unexpected delight.

[@Fonzzz002]

if this is art, then art has lost all it's meaning.

[@am5ters504]

@@Fonzzz002 Art has always only had the meaning we impose upon it. That's how art works

[@sws212]

@@Fonzzz002 Art lost meaning when snobs kept trying to define what is and isn't art.

[@seichysweetpie3781]

I'm SO GLAD they not only made an episode about Everything everywhere all at once but they are planning to talk more about this incredible and profound movie

[@angiespurs5773]

After watching it once, I felt like this movie actually CHANGED ME. Dramatic? Maybe, but it's so true. Watching it a second time, with my daughters (22 and 20 yo) was devastating. I love my girls. They KNOW how much I love them. We all have trauma. And this film had us weeping, declaring our love and giving each other hugs. We are still talking about moments of this film. I could go on and on....

[@ReviewandChill66]

I wonder why you called your second watching devastating. From your description, I think it was kind of fulfiling, healing experience.

[@Vi_Vi_1]

​@@ReviewandChill66 I think it's hard for any parent to think of their children hurting, and it's hard not to feel responsible, even if you gave them your very best. It can be devastating to look at your adult children and know you couldn't--and still can't--protect them from everything. I think I can understand how it would be devastating to watch this as a mother, even if it ended up being positive. This movie hits HARD

[@Cage-CatYT]

The "I don't know the the heck is going on, but still, it feels like it's all my fault" hit home harder than a semi truck. Because not knowing what's going on happens a lot cause people wanna protect me, but when something bad happens, I feel like it's my fault. Amazing episode, this really was an eye opener

[@yuukinoyuki9064]

I appreciate this movie for capturing something I've had to live my whole life. When you advocate for kindness the default is to assume you're weak or ignorant or both. But, actually, some of the people pushing for kindess are those who have faced the very darkest the world has to offer. Anyone who has ever tried to be kind through pain, knows it is not a sign of weakness but a sign of extreem strength. It takes nothing to be mean, but it takes *everything* to be kind. Which is why its such a powerful weapon.

[@lillianwolfe8314]

The fact her daughter's name is Joy... gosh, it's so obvious, but it WORKS. Cinema Therapy, you're the best internet dads around!!! We need ALL THE THERAPY!!! All. Of. It. Just yes.

[@sarahlevine2397]

As an over thinker with severe anxiety and existential dread and burnout, I relate so much to joy. My mind never sleeps. I feel like I’m constantly existing everywhere at all times and wearing myself thin. The little things matter so much to me

[@crimsonwizahd2358]

I'd also like to point out, as someone with ADHD/Autism, that that opening scene is probably the most perfect way I've ever felt ADHD portrayed in the most abstract way. "What are you thinking about?" "cue the crooked cop from The Professional" "EEEEEVERYYYTHIIIING!!!!!!!!!!"

[@sahaardhalla4207]

I totally relate! I’ve always found the feeling so hard to explain as well, like it doesn’t seem to make sense when I verbalize it, but this movie managed to capture all of those feelings so perfectly and it seriously left me amazed lol

[@miguelcocco3871]

A big big shoutout to the Cinema Therapy editors! All the little details and changes were really fun to watch and we appreciate all of it! Thank you for all your hard work!😊

[@AnInsideJoke]

It was such a wonderful touch! Also, did the style/character design of the animated flashes remind anyone else of Bob's Burgers?

[@Densoro]

@@AnInsideJoke I think the BB theme song started to play when Alan switched xD

[@MrPlease888]

I'm a second-generation Chinese American. And Michelle Yeoh's character's mannerisms makes me think of my parents quite a bit. I saw a snapshot of my life in this movie. And this is part of the reason why it's one of my favorite movies this year if not ever.

[@nikkinelsonhicksify]

To me, the Bagel represented Joy's depression and how she wanted to sink into it and never come out. I know that's a real fear when I go dark.

[@ForOrAgainstUs]

I viewed the bagel as suicide, and a mother trying to save her daughter's life.

[@berniasd012]

Then the line “there is always something to love” hits…

[@psychometal9089]

What about the Name "Joy". It's a teenager suffering depressed feelings called Joy.

[@peppermintbee]

@@ForOrAgainstUs That's how I viewed it too. The way the entire family holds Joy back, trying to support each other as they try to pull her away from the void. That scene had me sobbing. And then her letting go, giving Joy the choice and asking her to choose to exist... God, just such a powerful scene.

[@vpmcgeath]

Absolutely dominated the oscars!!! And not just them, their studio, A24! A24 swept all major categories when you include "The Whale" with Brendan Fraser

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

We're so happy about it!!

[@vpmcgeath]

@Cinema Therapy Do y'all plan on a reaction of The Whale?

[@alannahmayes7169]

The rock scene did it for me. I love the yin and yang symbolism. The googley eyes being the light and the bagel being the darkness. I feel like this film could also be an exploration of the balance of the darkness and light. The dao or enlightenment (why Michelle Yo places the google eye on her third eye chakra). During the rock scene the subtitles are in black and white, really carrying the motif through. More episodes please! This is by far my new favourite film…

[@DisgruntledPeasant]

More fun eastern philosophy references I caught: They speak of the mind as a clay pot, which is an analogy used throughout Buddhist teachings to describe the different ways we fail to gain wisdom. Eg. A full pot means you are not accepting new ideas, a leaky pot means you are forgetting what your experiences ect. The hero seeing the way to end all pain and choosing to remain in her mundane life in order to save her daughter is pretty much an exact explanation of the Bodhisattva; a person who sees the path of transcending and ending rebirth but chooses to remain in samsara in order to do good in the world.

[@crystalcleara.k.a.missyoko1430]

Yes that so true thank you for sharing next time l see it again because. . . Everything l will be seeing that too

[@GH-Rav]

Bagels are just eyes but inverse colors

[@localbottlecap]

Never in my life have I ever felt so seen by a movie or a piece of media, both culturally and emotionally. It made me feel and weep and laugh so deeply, I find myself entirely speechless as to articulate how much it means to me. On a side note, I personally would love to see a couples therapy for Waymond and Evelyn! The line "In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you." makes me ugly cry. Every. Damn. Time. Thank you so much for doing this episode, I genuinely gasped with delight when I got the notification. Y'all are awesome (and shout out to the editor for all the fun inserts in this episode!) Thank you for this, Cinema Therapy :")

[@scottrivas2714]

I was wondering why this movie resonated soooooo much with me the first time I watched it. Beyond the grand existential drama of it all, Seeing Evelyn’s struggle and how overwhelmed she was at the beginning of the movie hit a little too close to home. It felt like I was seeing my own life played out on screen. So I did a little research, and it turns out the Daniels wrote her character as someone with undiagnosed ADHD. Having only just recently recognized an been diagnosed as and adult, this movie was so validating and hit me in such a viscerally personal way. Before I could never understand why managing life and “adulting” was so much harder for me compared to everyone around me, it all just felt like unmanageable chaos. Kwan himself even went and got diagnosed himself while making the movie because he recognized so many of the symptoms in himself while doing research for the movie. All this to say, I’m so glad this movie exists because I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a protagonist that so resembled me in this way.

[@Alifirecat]

My mom saw this movie before I did and she really vouched for it and convinced me to watch it. She asked me everyday for almost 2 weeks if I wanted to watch this movie with her. And I finally did. And I was bawling at the end, holding my mom. Because I had gone through a severe depression two years prior. I was hospitalized and I had to fight like hell to come back. And my mom was always there by my side for that fight. Every day. I wouldn't have made it without her. So this movie really spoke to that experience.

[@denissewoo]

This movie actually changed my life, I used to be such a pessimistic person. But that line "I'm not optimistic because I'm naive" really hit me.

[@nikitasimona5626]

That one fleeting scene of joy in the car captured the emptinesses of depression better than any piece of dialogue ever could. I would love to see villain therapy for Jobu Tupaki

[@heatherroecker3323]

Can't watch right now for time reasons but as someone with a LOT of "mommy" issues and a lack of love from both parents, this movie was literally LIFE CHANGING. My bf & I had no real idea what this movie was going into it and I was a sobbing wreck on the theater floor by the end. I was still crying two hours later. I've been dying for yall to make this video.

[@IceMetalPunk]

I went into this movie thinking it would be a "maybe fun little indie sci-fi action flick".... I was not prepared at all. I was so far from prepared that preparation existed only in a different universe.

[@christopherrobbins0]

The main cast as a whole was just stellar. Each of them brought 110% to this movie. And the supporting cast brought it all as well.

[@depressedpebbles]

As a huge movie fan, I instantly fell in love with this film. After I got out of the theatre with my dad, I was just speechless. As soon as we got to the car, I just broke down sobbing. This may be the best film ever made only because it literally talks about everything that makes us human, our romantic relationships, our relationships with our children, our self esteem, our relationship with the world, our relationship with our parents and our relationship with morals. I just love the acting. Michelle Yeoh is fantastic! Ke Huy Quan is incredible! Stephanie Hsu is spectacular! The lines that stuck with me after seeing the film once is "The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please be kind. Especially when we don't know what's going on." And "Every rejection, every disappointment has lead you to this moment. Don't let anything distract you from it." I struggle with that alot. Feeling like I missed so many opportunities. I cried so many times watching this movie. It just speaks to my soul. The acting, the writing, the cinematography, the SOUNDTRACK,(mitski is literally the perfect artist to do an original song for this film), the humor, the visuals. It's all just.. perfect.

[@mysterybae]

✨

[@azilbean]

Perfectly said👏

[@HDsharp]

Don't you find everything in this movie was rushed? Crammed way too story in a short time frame.

[@abiseye4873]

And Son Lux confirmed to be one of the best contemporary musical projects🙌🏼

[@saramarzoli9647]

Well said, sister. I was ugly sobbing. It broke my heart and mended it.

[@Miso.coop.projects]

Also, as an Asian American (tho my mixed family definitely adopted plenty of “I love you”s) it was really gratifying and rewarding to me that in the whole resolution she never says “I love you”. A really great and nuanced representation, good screenwriting because it doesn’t feel too on the nose, but also it’s a really great demonstration that expressing love without saying “I love you” can be so valid and deep and meaningful, even moreso than saying it. Truth in general and great representation.

[@camilascatonebedin3002]

The "I will always want to be here with you" was maybe a deeper/more significant way to say "I love you"

[@kirstenlopez]

My mom passed away not long before this movie came out and I was sobbing in the cinema. My mom was more like Waymond and my dad is more like Evelyn so I just felt the loss of my mom’s kindness and optimism (she was a psychiatrist who specialised in trauma) so keenly while watching this film. Anyway, hell yeah to more content about this masterpiece. Couples therapy, mother/daughter therapy, Racaccoonie therapy, everything (everywhere all at once)! Thanks a lot for the amazing content as always ❤️

[@auldthymer]

Chad: I'm useless alone. Evelyn: We're all useless alone.

[@Setsunako6587]

@@auldthymer me, EVERY SINGLE TIME (yes, even now): 😭😭😭😭!!!! Edit: "It's a good thing we're not alone" 🥲💖

[@MeNumber47]

Racaccoonie therapy +1

[@ksy4747]

I, too, lost my mom few months before watching the movie so was also sobbing in the cinema.. I relatef to soooo many parts of the movie. Evelyn's failures, her fighting for her daughter, the suicidal daughter who wants to destroy the world bc she doesn't feel loved, the failed marriage, the Optimism, the what ifs of the multiverses..the rocks, the black holes of the bagel..Everything. I could relate to almost everything.. except for being gay, coming from an Asian culture, or dealing with a tax lady lol and the hot dog hangs ..nope. that was just..so gross! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@veraandthewhales]

I would love couples therapy for Waymond and Evelyn but the one I want to most is mother daughter therapy with Joy and Evelyn. Love you guys!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

They're on our list to get to!

[@veraandthewhales]

@@CinemaTherapyShow Can't wait!!

[@GoodEyeSniper74]

Love this critique so much. I watched this movie on a plane home from vacation and went from laughing in my seat to wiping tears away in equal measure. Very, VERY few movies are what I would describe as life changing. This is one of them. Instantly in my all time top 5, maybe even top 3. A genuine masterpiece.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

It’s so so good!

[@feliciamarilyn]

I also watched this on the plane and I cried profusely. This movie encapsulates what I’m going through 😢

[@gailbroatch630]

We obviously share the same opinion on this movie, so I would love to know your other top choices! I felt so seen with this one and I’m trying to find others that are just as life changing. (If you don’t mind sharing of course.) I would really appreciate it.

[@MMiel-mv2pt]

Same! Watched on a plane and laughed so loud 🤣 and cried so hard 😭. And haven't been able to get it out of my head since then...

[@WiloPolis03]

I don't really cry from media, but that speech about the main character being always there for Joy really brought tears to my eyes on rewatch. It just really hit me how much my parents have always been there for me in my mental health journey all my life, and how beautiful it is to have someone to talk to at all times.

[@Vaslaganum]

It's funny, cause it hit me in exactly the opposite way. I cried for hours about that scene, since my parents have NEVER been there for me, or made any effort to try to be there. It was the realisation of these things that made me cry, longing for that kind of acceptance and love in my life. To me, it showed an idealized version of existence that I wish could be mine. But alongside that pain, was also the thought of how well I'm doing despite that lack of support from what should be the most supportive people in my life. "Damn I'm more powerful than juju chewbacca nothing can keep me down any more" was pretty much my thought process after the catharsis of feeling all the emotions this scene gave me. I truly love how media affects each person differently, on a deeply personal level. Art is such a gorgeous thing, and our subjective takes on said art is what makes them beautiful.

[@onyx.avenger]

The thing that really "worked" for the gauntlet Evelyn faces: When she encounters each person, she uses the knowledge she has from the other universes to give each person what they want, what makes them happy. She's seen these people in other contexts and that allows her to see their hearts' desires, which enables her to help them get what they need. (It ties the whole "multiverse" aspect back into the grounded "human" aspect of the movie.)

[@SaltySeaCat369]

I finally saw this movie, so I could finally watch this episode. The movie really is everything, so was your breakdown, I would love to see more. And a special shout out to the editing this episode, that was such good fun!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

So glad you enjoyed the movie and our episode!

[@nikkifiggy]

I took my parents with me to see this film with me so that they could have an understanding of what I was feeling in my struggle with mental health. I’ve never seen something that so accurately depicts something I couldn’t reconcile or describe. It gave me the words I couldn’t find. I’m so glad I brought them and turns out they were my Evelyn.

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

I would've recommended my parents to see the film...if not for the dildos and anal penetration.

[@nikkifiggy]

@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou fair HAHA

[@arcticgoddess]

That's really beautiful. I'm so glad they went!

[@johnathonherrera1090]

I watched this movie 6 times in theaters and I cried at least 12 times

[@made.online2149]

I just watched it for the first time, started crying 15 minutes in and kept breaking down sobbing tears of anguish and joy every 5-10 minutes so, I'm glad to hear I'm not alone

[@Hades_raven]

watched about 6 times in a week and i feel the same, i cried every single time, and even in some clips of the movie i still do cry.

[@lolzkittenz]

Same, and I've already cried twice 6 minutes into this video 😭

[@erdafaandikri6780]

if my math is correct, that’s 2 cries per watch

[@arcticgoddess]

I have to say that I am so proud to see all the men posting about crying. It's changed a lot since I was a kid but I suspect that there are still barriers that aren't as obvious for women. It's such a mental relief to cry sometimes. This movie doesn't give you a choice though! 😅

[@AndreiFierbinteanu]

As someone who has been called naive at times, CEO Waymond's speech really hit home. It's not that I'm ignorant of certain things. It's that I prefer to ignore or forgive the bad things, so that I can stay positive. And like Jono, I also can be very cynical, but I consciously try not to. It's deliberate and my way of fighting. Loved that.

[@foxinabox5103]

Ignorance is bliss they say, and i think its very much true. As a queer and (possibly) neurodivergent, its both a blessing and a curse. I can feel people's emotion as if they're my own but it also came with the curse that its ALL emotion. So even reading a "slightly sour" news can ruin my day. And what can i say? People sucks. There are days i wish im just a carbon copy of everyone else, none of this BS. How great would it be to not have any knowledge on how the world will treat you if they know you're "different". And goddamn this movie hits right in the spot, with the perfect comedy as well

[@essencetreasuregoddes]

I don't have to forgive to see the good, I hear u tho

[@meguiegameiro5954]

Normally I’m not the type of person to leave comments in videos but I just had to this time. I discovered your channel today and it just became my absolute favourite, bringing my 2 favourite things together, films and talking about feelings. Thank you so much for your job and hope you keep going strong, this is amazing!!!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Welcome! Thanks for commenting (it really helps creators) and for watching. :)

[@lenemoyn5675]

Of course, Waymond's speech about kindness being his own brand of fighting hit me hard but what really got me was the end confrontation between Joy and her mother. Especially when she says, "you could be anything, anywhere." It reminds me heavily of when I would ask my mom about how she was when she was younger, what types of dreams she had, and what she would want to do if she didn't have to do her current job. And it's such a deeply wonderful yet painful feeling to hear her tell me about how she wanted to be an astronomer, how she wondered about the vastness of the universe, or how she could see herself being an interior designer. We've been struggling here in America, the usual bills, tuition, debt, mortgage and living paycheck-to-paycheck story. She doesn't have vacations. She works overtime to be able to just barely provide for us all. And it just makes me think, what could you have been if we weren't born? Who could you have been? How much happier could you and my dad have been? And I found that Joy's deep guilt echoes so greatly my own. I know my mother loves me and I her, but this love is exactly why I feel this guilt. Anyway, I adored the breakdown of a mother-daughter relationship in this movie, especially when it comes to Asian immigrants! Really relatable.

[@ca-ke9493]

Yes!!! The mother-daughter relationship in this relationship rings so true to me. The sacrifices that my parents went thru to provide me and my sister the best life is something that I can never repay. Its an unconditional love and duty. Who could they have been? They could have done so much more but they choose to have me. That shot with Joy running around in the landromat...hits so hard. Even if from day-to-day the interaction can be frustrating and difficult. And like Joy there can be an intense guilt at not living up to the expectations of their sacrifice, and resentment of the expectations put on in the first place.

[@AVspectre]

Has your mom seen the movie? I wonder if it could be an interesting convo starter.

[@crypterkametaron1982]

The sentence "If nothing we do matters, the only thing that matters is what we do." Is so true and genius. That is a live wisdom.

[@KitCat898]

I watched this movie alone, in a theater, after my partner of 11 years left me. I had to move back in with my parents, to my home town; without a job or my best-friend. The art and emotion in this movie hit me like a truck. I related to so many of the characters. I felt like such a failure, I felt so unseen, I felt like I was underestimated for fighting with kindness. It was a whole lot. Dang I loved this movie and am so glad you guys did too. ❤

[@LunarMarie]

I hope you're doing better 💕 *hug*

[@girlaffe]

I felt the same way about Christopher Titus's Love is Evol when my husband left me. You are not alone or unique in this.

[@Fingerscrossedout]

I resonate with your message! I too felt weak that I choose kindness for myself and that people abused me for it. It gets better!

[@912009]

I watched this for my bday after my 10 year relationship ended, and I felt the same. I was on a roller-coaster of emotions watching this movie. Whatever you're feeling is valid, feel the pain. It's not time that heals, it's what you do with that time. Remember to live ❤️

[@Brielle312]

I watched this movie a week ago… and me too. Well no. But I was fired from work and my partner and I had traumatic falling apart… and it helped. Coping with failure but with smile on my face.

[@listlesstoboggan1845]

I watched this movie with my Dad, and as an autistic adhd person who really struggles with expressing emotion, this move captures my exact philosophy. The things in your direct sphere are what matters, the actions you do, the people you love, that is what matters when nothing matters. I think my Dad is the autistic one of my parents, so watching this with him I think we both really connected over that and because we both loved it we learned a lot about each other in a way we can't particularly express with the words or emotions available to us. Absolutely my favorite movie. Not my favorite comfort movie, that goes to Spaceballs, but the best movie I have ever seen.

[@manofbeskar]

I think family therapy ones would be so good! This movie also deals with generational trauma, the endless cycle of Evelyn’s father never being proud of her, and Evelyn in turn never letting Joy know if she was proud of her. As someone going through the exact same situation as Joy (mother who doesn’t really support my queerness, which has destroyed our closeness), an episode about queerness and the familial impact (esp with the “unconditional love” that turns out to in fact be very conditional, and the gaslighting (i can’t think of a more accurate word atm) of Evelyn insisting that Joy is extremely lucky that Evelyn doesn’t complain about her being gay, even though she definitely felt some kind of shame about it. About the possible episode of Diedre, I direct you to a deleted scene of the extended cut of Jobu’s introduction scene (you can easily find it on KZbin) - where Jobu tells Diedre to shut up and tells her nobody likes her, resulting in Diedre crying and throwing herself off the level. It really shows how afraid she is of being unloved and alone. (There are other deleted scenes uploaded on KZbin too!) The director/s also mentioned that Evelyn had undiagnosed ADHD, if that’s something you’d feel interested in exploring! And a fun little fact: The original rock scene was supposed to have voiceover from Evelyn and Joy. Michelle Yeoh suggested it to be just silence with text and it worked.

[@brianng8350]

Regarding Michelle Yeoh and the rock scene, definitely credit to the directors to be open to suggestions - a true collaboration that makes the movie so much better and richer (all the tiny details)! Cheers to the whole crew!

[@manofbeskar]

@@brianng8350 Indeed. What a beautiful movie

[@kiarya7939]

Definitely talk about this movie forever! Couples Therapy, Mother-Daughter Therapy, Villain Therapy for both Jobu and Deidre, Evelyn (ADHD/ The Weight of Life) Therapy, Waymond Carrying the Family Emotionally Therapy, Waymond In Depth Worldview Therapy. We want Every Therapy! Preferably All At Once 😂😅

[@evan_sunprince]

Knowing Stephanie Tsu came from stage acting (She was in the musical Be More Chill) It makes so much sense why she could act this obscurity so well. Why that sucked into a bagel moment worked. The whole cast rocks.

[@BlazeDupree1525]

She was in Be more Chill... Suddenly so many of these acting choices make so much sense 😂

[@evan_sunprince]

@@BlazeDupree1525 She was Christine! The love interest. Not only that. She originated the roll.

[@BlazeDupree1525]

@@evan_sunprince 🤯 I can't believe I missed that! 😓

[@DragonsRuby]

I KNEW I recognized that name from somewhere! Didn't put it together until now! That's awesome!

[@AngelaMGarcia]

That moment when she validates her daughter and reminds her she sees and hear her through her darkness it qas really profound and healing. I’ve never been able to verbalized what I want from my mom.

[@AngelaMGarcia]

And makes me happy yo be the villan jaja. I like the villan stories the most