Waymond Wang quotes from Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Waymond Wang

You think I'm weak don't you? All of those years ago when we first fell in love, your father would say I was too sweet for my own good. Maybe he was right. You tell me it's a cruel world, and we're all running around in circles. I know that. I've been on this earth just as many days as you. 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. I know you see yourself as a fighter. Well, I see myself as one too. This is how I fight.

Waymond Wang

So, even though you have broken my heart yet again, I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.

Mrs. Wang, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind, but I cannot imagine anything mattering more than this conversation we are having right now about your tax liability.

Evelyn Wang

I know, I know. I am paying attention.

Good. Then, can you explain this? [Deidre places a receipt on the table. Evelyn looks at it]

Evelyn Wang

Well, what are we talking about?

I was just hoping you could enlighten me on how, as a laundromat owner, a karaoke machine would constitute as a business expense?

Evelyn Wang

I am a singer.

What?

Evelyn Wang

I... am... a... singer.

I see, and apparently you are also a novelist, a part-time teacher, a chef, a motivational speaker...

Do you see these? You don't get one of these unless you've seen a lot of bullshit. Excuse my French. Now you may only see a pile of boring forms and numbers, but I see a story. With nothing but a stack of receipts, I can trace the ups and downs of your lives. And it does not look good. It. Does. Not. Look Good.

Waymond Wang

Sorry, my wife confuses her hobbies for businesses! An honest mistake.

Oh. Okay. Well, with all of these "honest mistakes", I mean, even if we don't charge you with fraud, we'll most certainly have to fine you for gross negligence.

Evelyn Wang

There is no way I am the Evelyn you are looking for.

Waymond Wang

No, I see it so clearly.

Evelyn Wang

See what? I'm no good at anything.

Waymond Wang

Exactly. I've seen thousands of Evelyns, but never an Evelyn like you. You have so many goals you never finished, dreams you never followed. You're living your worst you.

Evelyn Wang

I cannot be the worst. What about the hot dog one?

Waymond Wang

No. Can't you see? Every failure here branched off into a success for another Evelyn in another life. Most people only have a few significant life alternate life paths so close to them. But you, here, you're capable of anything because you're so bad at everything.

Waymond Wang

I'm sorry Evelyn — I need to go.

Evelyn Wang

What!?

Waymond Wang

I need to find the right Evelyn.

Joy Wang

Mom, just stop! Good for you. You're figuring your shit out. And that's great. I'm really, really happy for you. But I'm tired. I don't want to hurt anymore. And for some reason when I'm with you, it just hurts the both of us. So let's just go our separate ways, ok? Just let me go!

Evelyn Wang

Ok. [pause] Wait. You are getting fat. And you never call me even though we have a family plan. And it's free. You only visit when you need something. And you got a tattoo and I don't care if it's supposed to represent our family. You know I hate tattoos. And of all the places I could be, why would I want to be here with you? Yes, you're right. It doesn't make sense.

Waymond Wang

Evelyn, stop. That's enough!

Joy Wang

Let her finish!

Evelyn Wang

Maybe it's like you said. Maybe there is something out there, some new discovery that will make us feel like even smaller pieces of shit. Something that explains why you still went looking for me through all of this noise. And why, no matter what, I still want to be here with you. I will always, always, want to be here with you.

Joy Wang

So what? You're just gonna ignore everything else? You could be anything, anywhere. Why not go somewhere where your daughter is more than just this? Here we only get a few specks of time where any of this makes any sense.

Evelyn Wang

Then I will cherish these few specks of time.
Video clip of scene at YouTube