It begins with a simple choice: turn left or turn right. What if both happened simultaneously? What if, in another reality, an entirely different version of you exists, one who took the other path? This is the heart of the multiverse theory, a concept that has fascinated physicists for decades. The Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once takes this idea to its extreme, blending scientific possibility with emotional storytelling. But how much of it is rooted in actual science? And what does it say about our understanding of reality?
The Many-Worlds Interpretation: Are there infinite versions of you?
In the film, every decision creates a new parallel universe, a concept derived from the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics. Proposed by physicist Hugh Everett in 1957, MWI suggests that when a quantum event occurs, all possible outcomes materialise in separate, co-existing universes. This means that in another reality, you could be a scientist, an artist, or even a kung fu master, just like the alternate versions of Evelyn, the film’s protagonist.
Unlike classical physics, where reality follows a single deterministic path, quantum mechanics reveals a world of probabilities. Particles do not have fixed states until they are observed, a phenomenon known as quantum superposition. This is famously illustrated by Schrödinger’s cat, a hypothetical cat that is simultaneously alive and dead inside a box until someone opens it. The film takes this principle further, suggesting that Evelyn’s ability to “verse-jump” allows her to experience multiple realities at once.
Quantum entanglement: A mysterious link between universes
Another key idea reflected in the film is quantum entanglement, where two particles remain instantaneously connected regardless of distance. In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Evelyn taps into the experiences and skills of her alternate selves across the multiverse. While the film exaggerates this concept, real-world physics does demonstrate a strange interconnectedness at the quantum level.
Albert Einstein famously called quantum entanglement “spooky action at a distance.” Today, experiments have confirmed that entangled particles affect each other’s state even when separated by vast distances. While this does not imply that human consciousness can travel between universes, it does challenge our understanding of locality and time.
The multiverse in modern physics: Speculation or reality?
While the Many-Worlds Interpretation is popular, it is not the only explanation for parallel universes. Theoretical physicists have proposed multiple models of the multiverse. One of the most prominent is the inflationary multiverse, which suggests that during the rapid expansion of the early universe, separate bubble universes could have formed with distinct physical laws. This idea arises from cosmic inflation theory, introduced by Alan Guth in the 1980s.
Another perspective comes from string theory, which posits the existence of extra dimensions beyond the three we experience. Some versions of string theory predict a landscape of universes, each with different fundamental constants. While there is no experimental proof for these ideas, they remain mathematically plausible and are actively explored in physics.
A philosophical dilemma: Does the multiverse make our choices meaningless?
If every possible decision leads to a new universe, does free will exist? This question haunts both physicists and philosophers. In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Jobu Tupaki, Evelyn’s daughter from an alternate universe, embodies nihilism, believing that if everything happens somewhere, then nothing truly matters. This existential crisis mirrors real debates about determinism in quantum mechanics.
But the film offers an alternative perspective through Waymond, Evelyn’s husband, who argues for kindness despite the chaos. His view aligns with absurdist philosophy, particularly Albert Camus’ idea that meaning is not inherent but must be created. In physics, too, the question remains open: whether our choices truly shape reality or if they merely play out across infinite branches.
Real-world applications: Quantum computing and beyond
Beyond theoretical debates, quantum mechanics has practical implications. Quantum computing, for instance, relies on superposition and entanglement to perform calculations far beyond classical computers. Google’s quantum processor, Sycamore, has demonstrated computational power that could revolutionise cryptography, artificial intelligence, and material science.
Furthermore, quantum teleportation, though not the same as sci-fi teleportation, has been experimentally achieved. Scientists have successfully transferred quantum states between particles over long distances, a breakthrough that could lead to ultra-secure communication networks.
The multiverse and current scientific discourse
The idea of the multiverse is not just confined to physics labs; it has infiltrated pop culture and philosophy. Recent discussions in cosmology suggest that if the James Webb Space Telescope detects unexpected patterns in the cosmic microwave background, it could hint at interactions between our universe and others.
Meanwhile, Nobel Prize-winning physicists like Roger Penrose have explored cyclic models of the universe, proposing that previous cosmic cycles may leave imprints on our own. While these ideas remain speculative, they push the boundaries of how we perceive reality.
