Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The recently released A24 film Everything Everywhere All at Once thrust fans into its own wacky version of the multiverse, which characters like Evelyn and Waymond Wang must navigate together. In the process of saving (or destroying) the multiverse, some individuals set themselves apart for being genuinely irable.
The most likable characters in the mind-bending sci-fi comedy-drama movie may not always have superpowers, but they try to help others and do the right thing at any cost. It’s also easy to feel sympathetic towards them because they’re often in difficult situations even though it’s clear that they deserve better.
Deirdre Beaubeirdre
From the moment she’s first introduced, it’s obvious that the IRS inspector Deirdre is meant to be an unlikable character. She gives Evelyn’s family a hard time when they present their receipts for auditing and often brags about her supposedly esteemed position in the office.
She even its it towards the end of the film, relating to Evelyn’s impending divorce by describing the two of them as “unlovable b***hes.” There’s also the fact that a variant of her is the first creepy goon sent by Jobu Tupaki that Evelyn encounters. That said, her hotdog fingers variant proves that “there’s always something to love,” which Deirdre thankfully realizes in a heartwarming scene with the protagonist.
Alpha Gong Gong
Alpha Gong Gong has seen enough of Evelyn’s intriguing variants in the multiverse to know that she can be dangerous. He understands that she has the capacity to become like Jobu, so he thinks that the best solution is to nip it in the bud by killing the protagonist.
His closed-mindedness and fear make it frustrating to watch most scenes with him, as he’s usually sabotaging Alpha Waymond’s plans and finding ways to hurt Evelyn. However, he does make up for some of his mistakes when he helps Evelyn reach Joy (as Jobu) in the end.
Gong Gong
Even before he appears in the film, Gong Gong is set up as an intimidating and demanding figure. He definitely meets those expectations when he pops up in the laundromat shouting for breakfast and criticizing Evelyn for no good reason.
Viewers see more of this stressful dynamic in the IRS office as well, with Gong Gong trying to step in and correct Evelyn multiple times. It’s a more intense version of the way Evelyn treats Joy. It’s nice to see Gong Gong seemingly quickly accepting Joy and Becky’s relationship eventually, though, and he doesn’t actively do anything to get in the way of the protagonist’s multiversal mission.
Jobu Tupaki
Although she was originally set up as a big baddie, fans eventually learn that Jobu is “every version of Joy” and she doesn’t actually want to kill Evelyn. She just wants her mother to “feel what” she feels, which is an unimaginable amount of pain and sadness. At that point, it’s easy to feel sympathetic towards her.
That, of course, doesn’t excuse her violent rampage across the multiverse, killing countless versions of Evelyn and whoever else is in the way. Her nihilism has likely irreparably damaged numerous universes with innocent people having to endure the consequences of her thoughtless actions.
Alpha Waymond Wang
Several of the thought-provoking quotes in Everything Everywhere All at Once come from Waymond’s variants, with Alpha Waymond being one of the best versions. It’s Alpha Waymond who tracks down the right Evelyn, helping her understand that she’s the only one who can save the world.
It’s also incredibly entertaining to watch his fight scenes, as his Verse-jumps almost always give him new impressive skills. That said, fans (and Evelyn) won’t forget the way he abandons her at one point, leaving her to die at the hands of the evil Deirdre. It’s a minor and understandable annoyance, as he truly believed that he made a mistake with that variant of Evelyn.
Becky
Joy’s girlfriend Becky is endearingly clueless throughout the whole film, as she’s mostly confused when hanging out with the Wang family since she doesn’t speak their language. She tries her best to encourage Joy and s her after tough conversations with Evelyn.
Despite being a side character with very little screen time, Becky manages to be somewhat likable because of her attempts to be helpful. She clearly cares for and loves Joy, which likely makes audiences ship their relationship even more. Plus, her funny and awkward interactions with Gong Gong are always fun to see.
Evelyn Wang
She may be the protagonist, but Evelyn doesn’t start out as the most likable character in the film. She’s portrayed as a constantly stressed and annoying wife and mother, who belittles Waymond and doesn’t listen to Joy. She even says hurtful things about her daughter’s gender identity and Waymond’s role in her life.
This is why her transformation into a more carefree, honest, and loving version of herself is so satisfying to watch. When she finally learns that “nothing matters,” she’s able to let go of the little frustrations in her daily life and embrace the things and people that actually matter. It takes a while to get there, but she does become the most compelling character before the movie ends.
CEO Waymond Wang
Despite only appearing in some scenes, the CEO variant of Waymond says some of the best lines in the film, which includes his powerful monologue about why he’s a fighter. It’s that jaw-dropping speech that makes his character unforgettable and likable, as he helps Evelyn understand that choosing to be kind and optimistic is its own kind of fight.
His heartbreaking quote about how he would’ve loved “doing laundry and taxes” with the protagonist in another life is another line that will stay with viewers long after they’ve seen the movie. This version of Waymond proves that in every universe, he’s the one person who can truly appreciate, , and love Evelyn, no matter how much it hurts him.
Joy Wang
Some of the film’s saddest quotes come from Joy, as she desperately tries to communicate how awful she’s feeling with her mother. Their messy relationship continues to hurt her, as she explains how she feels like a disappointment who has made nothing of her life.
It’s almost too painful to watch some of her emotional scenes with Evelyn, especially the climactic one that takes place outside of the laundromat. All audiences likely want to do is hug her and tell her that everything will be okay – it’s the unique effect she has that speaks volumes about how compelling her character really is.
Waymond Wang
Since viewers first see him through Evelyn’s eyes, it’s easy to have the same opinions that she has about Waymond, but he slowly proves those are not true. He’s a loving, patient husband who is proud of his family, and he isn’t afraid to step up and protect Evelyn, even as she turns into the terrifying omnipotent and nihilistic version of her.
Even when he’s trying to divorce her, he defends her and the business they’ve built together from Deirdre and the cops. He comforts Evelyn and s her all the time, despite the fact that it’s obvious that he needs someone to do those things for him as well. It’s his boundless kindness and optimism that make him such a likable character, and it’s these traits that eventually spur Evelyn to change her negative perspective of the multiverse as well.
