This film is a magnificently unconventional and exceptionally well-made work, featuring a cast who are clearly dedicated and presenting an incredibly unusual story. I felt compelled to discuss the film immediately after seeing it, but I realize that a short review can’t possibly do it justice. It's one of the most intricate films I’ve encountered, so I’ll try my best not to reveal too much, even though I feel like some deeper explanations would be necessary to fully express what I want to say. The film was a significant success both at the box office and among critics, and it is absolutely worth the price of admission. It also received considerable recognition at the 2023 Oscars ceremony, winning seven awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay) out of ten nominations. And on top of those Oscars, there are many other prizes and accolades that seem entirely justified. The script is among the most imaginative and unusual I’ve ever seen: it begins with a middle-aged Chinese woman struggling to manage the chaotic aspects of her everyday life—a failing business, a troubled marriage, a difficult relationship with an authoritarian father, a rebellious daughter who's a lesbian, and issues with income tax. It is during this time that she discovers the existence of countless other universes, each containing different versions of people she knows, and learns that she must help defeat a destructive force threatening all of them. The film builds upon bold scientific ideas about the possibility of universes parallel to our own, where alternate versions of ourselves exist, and goes further by suggesting these universes arise from our daily choices and decisions. For instance, I am here writing this review, but in another universe, a different version of me chose not to watch a movie and went to sleep. I won’t go into detail about how the main character makes this discovery or what kind of malevolent entity it is, but I can say that the primary message I took away from the film is the importance of living in the present while also maintaining faith and fostering love and positive emotions instead of fleeting or meaningless experiences. Ultimately, the protagonist needs to believe in herself and abilities she never knew she possessed in order to confront this negative force, which serves as a potent representation of nihilism—the feeling that nothing in life is truly worthwhile. Regarding the script, I think it’s fair to say that I felt the creative spark diminish somewhat toward the end; after so many bizarre and unusual events, the seemingly straightforward conclusion seemed strangely underwhelming to me. There's much to be said about the film's technical aspects. Directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, it was surprisingly made on a modest budget (around thirty million dollars, which is quite small for Hollywood considering what the film is), and that worked incredibly well. Visually, it’s one of the most striking films I’ve ever seen, with cinematography and editing worthy of study in film schools. The set and costume design are also excellent, as is the work of the stunt doubles and makeup artists, among many other subtle details that demonstrate the meticulousness and dedication of the directors and their team. The soundtrack is another strong point, featuring an atmospheric and sometimes very understated sound. There are numerous references to pop culture elements like martial arts and technological gadgets, and the fight scenes were crafted with great attention to detail, including sudden freezes of the image during intense moments—a cinematic style characteristic of kung fu films. The cast’s performances deserve recognition. Michelle Yeoh delivers a remarkable performance, embodying a wide range of cinematic styles within a single character, from comedy to physical action, in a way that would challenge even the most established actors. She completely immerses herself in the role. Stephanie Hsu follows suit and provides us with a deeply moving portrayal filled with feeling and emotion. Ke Huy Quan is also impressive and does a remarkable job. In smaller roles but still worthy of mention are veteran James Hong and esteemed Jamie Lee Curtis, whose performance is so far outside her usual range that it seems almost unimaginable for this actress, and yet it could prove pivotal to her career going forward.

Source on TMDB