13/01/2025
In another universe, would you have stood up for yourself?
Note: Potential spoilers up ahead, reader’s discretion is advised.
For those who have yet to watch Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAAO), released in 2022, the trailer makes it seem like your average nonsensical action-comedy film with a hint of family elements. And though that is somewhat true, it would be a heavy understatement for the intricately woven story of this absolute genius of a movie.
I truly believe that EEAAO hits people in different ways, according to what resonates with them the most. From dealing with regret, familial tensions, forms of love, and even Nihilism– or basically, the belief that existence and our humane aspects are pointless.
Throughout the film, what really stuck with me is Joy, who is Evelyn’s daughter and her sentiments. Evelyn and Joy are stuck in a dysfunctional mother-daughter tandem, even reaching other multiverses before they could finally resolve their issues with each other.
The most heart-striking line must go to Joy as she defeatedly says: “For some reason when I’m with you, it just hurts the both of us.” It portrayed a very bare and vulnerable side of her. Considering that they are an Asian household, where family and respect (not that she was being rude) are highly treasured, Joy being able to say this to her mom must mean that she had been driven to the edge of exhaustion.
Despite the emotional tarnish, I appreciate how she acknowledges that the pain she feels is shared. She has adopted a selfless viewpoint that not everyone has the strength to accept. To me, this shows that despite her resentment, she still has some rooted love, care, and concern for her mother.
Now, how often does a scenario like this happen in a Filipino setting? Being able to stand up to the generational trauma that has long haunted families, lacing it with a tinge of repressed resentment and bitterness.
In the movie, Joy, tired of all the hurt, was prepared to face emancipation even from her own mother. But in the end, they were able to fix their issues and accept each other for the equally beautiful messes that they are. Sadly, not everyone has the luxury of voicing their feelings out, afraid of being an outcast from their own families. And not everyone is willing to accept that they play a part in another person’s pain. So regardless if people choose to cut people off or not, still, they are very much valid either-way.
As the we all face this new year, may some of us with unspoken feelings finally find the courage to liberate themselves from the burdens. May some of us realize that sometimes, people hurt us; sometimes we hurt them too. You will never be the bad person for choosing to let go or not.
What about you? What’s your favorite scene from this movie?
🎬
words by 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐦𝐚 | The Tradesman
layout by 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐦𝐚 | The Tradesman
