The Warmhearted Absurdism of Everything Everywhere All at Once

[@donkylefernandez4680]

It's fitting that the most multiversal movie there is loops right back around to being the most grounded.

[@dawesome_sauce]

I had an instructor once who posed a thought experiment for me: is it more important to be understood or more important to be loved? This came at a point in my life going out into the world on my own really for the first time, where I felt a profound sense of disconnect from the society and people around me, even people I had points of parity with. And amidst all this, that thought experiment really stuck with me. Because connection doesn't require walking a mile in someone else's shoes, though that helps. Connection is all about the attitude and love we bring to the table and are willing to give, even with no guarantee of receiving it back. Some of my dearest friends are people from such dissimilar backgrounds and such unique walks of life that I'll never fully comprehend what they've gone through. And yet we still share love and have meaningful interactions. It made all the difference.

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

Wtf are you talking about?

[@niraxlevi9930]

​@@joaquinvaleri7022something you don't have enough IQ to grasp

[@NotASnaccImAMel]

​@@joaquinvaleri7022 ... you must be fun at parties.

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

@@NotASnaccImAMel and you should watch my animation film about Falklands War Honor And Glory

[@lkeke35]

I faced the same question when I went off to college because I too was experiencing the disconnect. I was fortunate enough to meet the kinds of people I needed to meet and to have family that answered that question for me. Nobody understood me )or was ever going to) and I learned to simply accept that, but I felt loved. For me, that was most important.

[@hartthorn]

I feel like one of the most beautiful parts of the ending is that... it wasn't perfect, it wasn't concrete. But Evelyn communicated to Joy "I'm trying. By god, I'm trying" and that was ENOUGH. Evelyn was willing to throw out some of her bullshit, Joy was willing to meet half way. They acknowledged the gap, but also that the gap would not be closed without WORK. So many movies resolve conflict COMPLETELY. Like, there was just some button someone had forgotten to push and now everything is okay. But that's not how real life works. It is an always effort. It is a thing we do every day and try to do more every time. And that made things so much more... visceral. A thing I see in my life. And it was beautiful.

[@Jaysil2]

Love this comment cuz I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately! A lot of fantastic stories have been sitting in this uncertainty past few years, especially with personal stories around identity and existence. I May Destroy You is one that immediately comes to mind.

[@lkeke35]

We make a choice every day to give our life meaning.

[@loafoftofu6773]

I think one of the most underrated lines was said by Evelyn in the Ratatouille spoof universe. She says "Lets go save your silly raccoon." Something about that really affected me on a rewatch. Sure she calls it silly, but she doesn't try to take away from it's value. Just because something is silly and you don't fully understand it doesn't mean it's that way for everyone. It can have value just because someone puts value into it. I love how the main thing the movie proposes is that "if nothing we do matters, then the only thing that matters is what we do." Because if there is no grand design, no predetermined fate then why not try to make the best of our situations. Of course the obvious rebuttal to this is to just say "Fuck it, nothing matters so I'm just gonna not care how I affect people." And yeah things can always get worse, but if we don't call out those that think l that way then things will never get better. And that's really the point isn't it. In an infinite, uncaring universe what's more powerful than caring, than seeing that none of this matters and deciding to do something nice?

[@5x5Takes]

the universe is profoundly meaningful and deeply silly!!!!

[@lkeke35]

My all time favorite line form the Angel series finale!!!

[@longarmsgiraffe0955]

i couldn't express why it bothered me so much that my mom didn't like this movie. After all, she doesn't like anything I like. Then you hit the nail on the head. Thanks! Great video. I'll be watching more of yours!

[@nimekun2040]

why does she hate it?

[@connieh9581]

Sometimes it hurts when someone you think will understand something’s meaning to you and they don’t. You were looking for this to close a gap that you saw but your mother didn’t. Keep trying because it’s important t you.

[@purpleflorencia]

You did not put The Good Place and this movie together, you did not!! 😭😭😭 You're now making me think of how Waymond's speech about kindness that when we less understanding things is when we more need to be kind to one another's it overlaps to Chidi's talks that what we owe to one another is to be good with each other. Gods, I love all of this!! ❤❤❤

[@TikiDragon1]

I tried getting my mom to watch Everything Everywhere, but as soon as Evalyn and Waymond started speaking all she could say was "why isn't this in english?" Soon after that she was scrolling through her phone and walked away, so I took out the DVD.

[@captaintogawa9736]

I feel bad for her

[@CribNotes]

You should have told her "the movie is in English" just wait.

[@J_Mock92]

That sucks. I told my Mom she NEEDED to watch it a few months ago, after I had just watched it, and made sure to tell her that a good third or so (particularly the beginning) is spoken in Chinese w/ subtitles. Luckily she's always been a bit of a movie buff, so I don't think it would bother her much. I'm not sure if she's actually watched it yet, but I'll definitely mention it again today when I call her for Mother's Day! (I get that subtitles are hard for a lot of people to follow, though. I have trouble sometimes, and can find them particularly distracting because of my ADHD, so I definitely understand why many people prefer not to watch things with them)

[@shayolinparker2934]

I honestly think people putting in the effort to try and understand us even if they are unsuccessful is more impactful and important than people who just instantly get it. I'm glad for anyone who cares for me enough to try

[@5x5Takes]

i tend to agree :)

[@Akane1051]

[ 10:04 ] My parents made me watch the movie after it won so many of its nominations, and when it ended they actually asked me "why are you crying????" and I was like "you didn't made me watch it to make me cry??????" They wanted it to re-watch it almost immediately so I could point out what parts made me react that way and I was just like "...no".

[@DracowolfieDen]

I watched it for the first time with my mother--I was determined to watch it with both my parents. My dad fell asleep, but my mom and I were enthralled and sobbed all the way through and afterwards had the longest hug we've ever had.

[@mayas3422]

because of all the comments i saw, when my mom went to see it i didn't watch it with her. i was afraid it wouldnt mean to her what it meant to me. and it didn't, it meant something else. but still, it meant something. i was so happy to have that. i finally have a favorite movie too.

[@lkeke35]

For me this was best summed up in the series finale of Angel: "When nothing we do matters, all that matters is what we do!" Also Waymond's quote is one of the best lines I've ever heard in a movie because I've always lived by this: When I choose to see the good side of things, I'm not being naive. It is strategic and necessary. It's how I've learned to survive through everything.

[@ToShanshuinFiction]

My favorite thing about this video is that you've again put words to how I feel about a piece of media that has become very important to me. My second favorite thing is that you've pinned that negative comment. Truly iconic.

[@luckneh5330]

this entire vid, for me personally, you explained joy's character perfectly; i do relate heavily with joy and it felt i saw myself with her. you explaining her character and different things made me feel so understood. especially the line, "if they don't understand this thing i care about, what if they don't understand me?" because I understand fear stops human connection and all that, but i've been hurt and ignored all my life for sharing these things i passionately care about that it's hard for me to show people things that they haven't been interested in before, or know about; even the simplest of things about me because it's like sharing my trueself with that and I usually just mirror people's interests as of a result. while i'm improving upon this and trying to get out of these mindset more, it really does hurt a lot and hearing that line made me feel understood; like you put my thoughts into simple words: thank you!

[@adiksaff]

13:19 - I wholeheartedly agree! I remember a quote from a game I've never actually played, but whose story I deeply resonate with: "Listen up, Phones! The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they'll go." This video was lovely! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@The13thKnight]

The existential stuff is very obvious, but you make the desire to be seen and understood as a person much more obvious! I never considered that, well put. I tend more towards absurdism myself, and I wish more existentialist folks could see this movie and come to see that beautiful hope which lies beyond outside divine purpose.

[@theforgetfulalchemist]

This movie was exactly what I needed to hear about my own relationship with my mother. Tears were shed

[@davidhamilton676]

All I know is a goggly eye is the inverse of a bagel

[@5x5Takes]

very true

[@fallendaniii]

I don't have the courage to watch this film with my mother. But I really want to. So it happens with everything else. I hope someday I'll be brave enough to share.

[@flavinyl]

i also never had an answer for a favorite movie, but this movie touched me so deeply. nothing matters :((((((((( ---------> nothing matters :D

[@5x5Takes]

yea!!!! :)))

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

My mom wanted to see it, but my gut told me she wouldn't get this movie. I love this movie so much, because it's so strange. I totally understand that desire to connect with others and to be understood. I feel like I've been struggling with that my whole life. I also like to think that while the movie doesn't have a clear ending, the multiverse was able to work things out and give the family a moment of hope and happiness.

[@Pycoon17]

I'm in the same boat. I told my Mom it was my top movie for the year and then I had seen it 3 times, but then my younger sister and Aunt trashed it (I'm a guy) and said it was too much so I'm a little discouraged. I've just ordered the disk though so I'm gonna try and get my parents to watch it anyway.

[@rachelespiritu4215]

When I see Ms Ocampo post a comment, I know I'm in for a good video :3

[@Jaysil2]

Your videos are consistently amazing. So educative, personal and as in this one, as someone who also has long loved absurdism, very validating

[@basicsimp8798]

"NOTHING MATTERS!!! WHICH MEANS EVERYTHING MATTERS!!!" Its our job to make our life meaningful and sometimes that's all we need to hear.

[@blornblad4381]

As always, very insightful. Can’t wait to hear your analysis of Angel Season 5. No rush, obviously. Patience is one of my virtues.

[@5x5Takes]

id love to. it’d be something on the extremes of the season. it had EXCELLENT qualities and improvements on the show, and some fearsomely upsetting choices. much to discuss

[@unita2ko521]

God I love your channel so much, I sob at every single video. it's so special to me. Thank you for putting time and effort into making this!

[@benjamincrabtree3102]

Great video! This movie got us all in the heartstrings. I think we all deeply felt connected, heard, seen, and understood with this movie. We’re all scared at times and in awe other times. ❤

[@protomon7712]

i wanted to see it was really curious, i suggested it to my mom , whe sat through it and it touched my heart. was it weird as heck yeah but still touched my soul. My mom saw the oddity and couldnt see the message. which did kinda hurt but not surprised because i came out as trans it didnt go well and still is not the easiest thing. but this kind of still cemented she doesn't see the message. and dont know when or if she really well.

[@maryscary]

"If there is any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, sharing something. I know it's almost impossible to succeed but who cares really? - The answer must be in the attempt." - Before Sunrise

[@5x5Takes]

i literally almost had that quote in there 😳

[@antoniorosas6244]

Thank you, this is my favorite video essay about my favorite movie.

[@lkf8799]

I absolutely love this movie and was so happy it won so many awards. I showed it to my nieces who usually can't peel themselves away from their phones and they were focused the entire time ☺️ I cried the entire last 15 minutes and had such an elated feeling leaving the theater that I've never felt before. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@cholten99]

As always another exceptionally good video. I continue to wish there was a way to highlight this channel so more people could see the amazing work you do. I wonder if there's a way to share them with other similar video essayists (Nerdwriter, etc) so they might boost them.

[@SarahWildsmith]

What was that line from the Angel finale? “If nothing we do in this world matters, then the only thing that matters is what we do”

[@5x5Takes]

actually from angel s2 :)

[@SarahWildsmith]

@@5x5Takes Hell yes! I knew you would know!

[@crystallinedreams17]

Yay! This is one of my favorite films of all time- can't wait to see you give your thoughts!

[@thomastoscano3152]

Great Video! Funny enough, i was researching to create a post about this today and i found your video, that was posted yesterday! Keep up with the good work!

[@NobodyListensToCasandra]

I could never have shown this movie to my mother. But this video just made me decide to watch it with my daughter tonight ❤

[@camadams9149]

10:15 So we really are living the same life. My mom never got me. If feels like she could but she willing is choosing not to... which is disappointing. She got 30 minutes into this, "didn't get it"/"thought it was stupid" and shut it off.

[@conortlsullivan]

You brought to the surface and articulated exactly why this movie means so much to me. Thank you. I feel as seen by your video as I did by the movie :)

[@tomfoolery-4444]

As much as I want to, I could never show this movie to my mom because it features a nonzero amount of swearing and violence. And uh, that scene I scream because this film would benefit her so much!

[@strivewithme]

This is such a beautiful perspective and great insight to the human condition. Thank you for sharing. It really grounded me in understand people’s desire to be seen and understood, and what a gift it is to do that, or at least try to do that for someone. Thank you, thank you.

[@TwilightDance113]

Loved this, you made some really great points. :)

[@mentallyilltrenches]

You just...you get it. Thank you

[@unityedits3722]

3:45 actually, it’s better translated as a leap INTO faith (sorry, The Good Place jokes 😅) Edit: Oh hey! We’re both referencing it!

[@playitcool1963]

5x5 is covering EEAAO, don't chat to me, bruv.

[@djadelaney]

I saw it 5 times in the theater, one of those times with my mom, and she got it ❤ or at least she got it enough. I'm so lucky to have her for my mother

[@Capelvo]

These guys are geniuses. An action-comedy movie that made me cry several times. Such a stupid movie and at the same time so intelligent. So ridiculous and at the same time so profound. a study of depression disguised as an action comedy. in my top 10 of all time.

[@samon101]

missed u guys

[@acec2428]

love how you used a profound quote from a man whom minutes earlier went on a monologue about how hes a "pod goblin" who needs a "friend shoveling salami into a gaping furnace in my torso while I narrate" Thats not to say I disagree. Hell, I quoted him on my IB essays.

[@5x5Takes]

profoundly meaningful and profoundly silly

[@melissagola3786]

Oh christ. So this video unlocked something in me. I am just bawling watching this video. Welp

[@lemcy1256]

10:19 sadly, yes. my mum didn't get it either...

[@matichagak548]

I saw this movie in the theatres with my grandma. yes. my grandma. and we both loved it. we both cried. it was awsome. i told my mom, dad, stepdad and stepmom about it. turns out my mo and stepdad had already watched it, he ddin't find it all that good and my mom only found the concept interesting, my dad and stepmom watched it one or two weeks later and the answer was the same: not really my style (mind you my dad is a huge movie enthusiast who watches any type of movie and has 912 movies at home in dvd - yes i counted them, it was a boring afternoon) so my grandma and I are alone in this vast world of eeaao

[@maps2853]

I love this mlvie so much

[@brycelavender2255]

It’s my favorite movie and it’s the first time that’s been easy to say just because of the amount of movie

[@meander112]

Engagement for the engagement god! Subs for the sub throne!

[@Andre-qo5ek]

hm... my gut reaction: optimistic nihilism ≠ absurdism absurdism is a framework to respond to nhilism, and your definition is fine. "In very brief summary, “the absurd” refers to the tension between a meaningless universe, and the human desire for meaning. " where i would argue is that optimistic nihilism does not necessarily accept the "tension" and "desire for meaning." that your propose in your distinctions for absurdism . this distinction is paramount. in absurdism there is still that desire to leave a mark, to find meaning, to leave meaning, to exist in such a way that you can say you were unique and special and someone somewhere, maybe everywhere should know YOU EXISTED. there is a desperation in absurdism. a frenzy. a type of 'insanity' that is well too often associated with absurdism. it is a step INTO the void , not just an examination of it. optimistic nihilism , or as Forrest Valkai might phrase it 'Smhilism', from my understanding is the acceptance that the things of this universe do not have an intrinsic meaning. that we have the choice to make meaning where we see fit. it is not a declaration for a desire to make things have meaning like you definition for absurdism. absurdism to me, with your definition, is more in line with " since nothing has meaning lets just make up meaning arbitrarily as my narrative desired" ........................... the movie is definitely a response to the human experience to being in the nihilistic hole. Joy represented absurdism. most definitely a position that was reached as a cope of feeling unimportant, and not as an individual. an over compensation IMO. Eveyln represented the journey through being unaware and performing through life. confronting Joy's absurdism with even more absurd absurdism, and pulling joy back to optimistic nihilism. Waymond , seemingly in all timelines, was an individual ( aka, true to himself in the circumstances of that timeline) no aggrandizement, no need to be absurd. a person that can accept reality as it is.

[@Andre-qo5ek]

p.s. i think i mostly just have a different lexicon for the same ideas expressed in the video. i certainly have a different perspective on the desire "to be seen". i do like the idea of the desire "to see someone" good stuff 👍

[@laurathepoet]

does sometimes all the connecting and understanding feel so exhausting and necessary and huge that you just laugh-cry on the toilet bc it also feels very similar to poop cramps on your period? yeah, that's absurdism for you.

[@Kris_not_Chris]

is it more tragic to show your mother and have her not get believing she would? or not even bothering because you know she wouldn't?

[@gamingroblox3143]

carmen sandiego review to 2019 version

[@amazingsomeoneable]

I showed this to my housemates and they didn't get it either ;_;

[@mothralord1709]

Lol yea. My parents hated this movie n think its absurd while i love it

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And respect Argentine people and Latinos people and sorry for ruin both them

[@Kolya-chu]

🥺🥹

[@Alina_Schmidt]

Two things up for debate: Isn’t the „leap of faith“ basically a („the“?!) theistic approach? And what means that „embrace the absurd“ is the simplest - not the easiest?

[@ChiWillett]

comment boost

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

This movie dosen't makes any sense and i rather watch other movie rather than this movie

[@marocat4749]

I wopuld recommand the wetoon kubera, the last god. mangadex has the good translation. It gets there to very, , its good, fun and a drama and gets soo good.and really allisthought out with different perspectives. And personally a mastrpiece, even good romance, if often more on the tragic side. Its maningful to mde too. And so cruel,in the best way, with still hope and love. i found fire force not bad, tamaki gets better too and the manga, its really powerful at the last part aout hope, dspair, trauma, and goes into that, also it getsreally absurd in th best way haha, but , also strong. lexx is good really. I got to, no youdont have to understand people, i mean you should listen, but you cant really 100% get a person near all of the time, way important is having communication and trust. of course listen and be clear open and dont assume, but communication is mssy so communicating open really is the important thing, and most of the time no one is right. i think pragmatizing might be the most important part and know you cant be 100 either. Maybe autism brain but i think openness,pragmatism and knowing you dont have to be right really makes the most part, and dont asume, if yo want toask, ask and wait the answer. I rather have a productive fight over not trying.

[@harshitayadav9813]

This video has my heart 🫀, i have seen plenty of video analysis about this, to see if someone understood it the way i did, to see it the way i did and i think this video pretty much expresses that. So, thank u for sharing also the whole segment of "What is love, if not wanting to see someone?", I luv that🫀✨