Evelyn (Yeoh), owner of a struggling laundromat being examined by a tax auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis), has a failing marriage and strained relationship with her daughter. Longing to escape life’s chaos, she is visited by an avatar who calls upon her to take a leap of faith and become a hero to save the world. As she begins her wild journey in an upside down multiverse of different outcomes where every action has possible consequences, an emerging threat comes from within her family. With the fate of the world in the balance, can Evelyn be the ‘chosen one’?
The film’s plot
engenders virtually every genre, shifting between reality and science fiction amid
a world with endless possibilities. Though it spontaneously shifts into a myriad
of subplots, the film never loses sight of its emotional center.
The Daniels are clearly having a ball with Yeoh, who makes the most of this dream role, the culmination of her career and talent including her martial arts skills in some over-the-top fight scenes. The film recalls elements of The Matrix and even Marvel’s ‘What If’’ concept of multiverses.
At
once unorthodox and irreverent, and at times convoluted yet never boring, it’s
a visual overload through the prism of life.
Ultimately about new beginnings, its
timely message of love, sacrifice, acceptance, and connection will resonate
emotionally, and the Daniels’ ambitious imagination carries an imperfect film
to euphoric, affecting heights. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never look at a
bagel the same way again.
**** of
**** stars (for Yeoh fans)
