Why 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is the film to beat going into Sunday's Oscars

A year ago, we never could have guessed that a film with hot-dog hands and a singing raccoon would win best picture.

But “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is predicted to do just that at Sunday’s Academy Awards (ABC, 8 EDT/5 PDT), where it leads with 11 nominations. After winning over critics and moviegoers, the poignant sci-fi adventure has dominated awards season, scoring record-setting wins from the Screen Actors Guild and Independent Spirit Awards last week.

“We’re proud weirdos,” co-director Daniel Kwan told USA TODAY last year. "I'm so happy people are resonating with this story. We worked so hard to make sure it felt honest."

Here’s what you need to know about the unlikely Oscar front-runner:

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is a multiverse-jumping family drama from the Daniels

"Everything Everywhere" follows Evelyn Wong (Michelle Yeoh), a laundromat owner and Chinese immigrant who feels dissatisfied with her life. She struggles to communicate with her estranged husband, Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), and lesbian daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu), until one day she is transported to another universe and tasked with defeating an evil force.

"We love Charlie Kaufman, Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut – people who have a sense of humor about really big, philosophical ideas," says co-director Daniel Scheinert, known collectively with Kwan as the Daniels. "So we've always tossed around ideas that are almost uncinematic in how crazy they are, and the multiverse was one of those."

The film explores mental health, generation gaps and the desire for genuine connection. After experiencing dozens of alternate lives and timelines, Evelyn finally learns to express herself to her family, which culminates in an emotional reconciliation in a parking lot.

"I like to make fun of that scene for feeling like a rom-com ending," Kwan says. "But in a movie where they spend the whole time talking past each other and existing in different universes, it actually feels very profound to just let them say exactly what they want."

Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan could make Oscars history

Quan, 51, has made a long-awaited comeback after childhood roles in '80s classics "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones." He's all but swept the best supporting actor race this year, with major wins and endearing speeches at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG Awards. If he repeats at the Oscars, he'll become only the second Asian actor to win the category, after Haing S. Ngor took best supporting actor for 1984's "The Killing Fields."

Meanwhile, beloved industry veteran Yeoh, 60, has been neck in neck with Cate Blanchett ("Tár") for best actress all season, but recently surged thanks to prizes from the Spirit Awards and SAG. If she earns the Oscar on Sunday, Yeoh will be just the second woman of color in the 95-year history of the awards to win best actress, following Halle Berry for 2001's "Monster's Ball."

Stephanie Hsu tackles dual roles as Joy and Jobu Tupaki

Although Yeoh and Quan have picked up the lion's share of trophies, Hsu arguably has the trickiest role in the film as Joy, who longs for her mom's acceptance. In parallel universes, Evelyn faces off against Joy's nihilistic alter ego, Jobu Tupaki, who threatens to destroy everything with the help of a giant, black-hole-like bagel.

"Jobu is like, 'If nothing matters, then what if I just blow your head up into confetti?' " Hsu says. The 32-year-old actress, who also appears on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," says the Daniels' script is "one of the best I've ever read," mixing "super-silly physical comedy" with "heartfelt, very sincere storytelling."

"There are these really profound messages of kindness and love," Hsu says. "You can try to run from someone, but no matter where you go – no matter what universe you go to – they're always going to be there in some form. That is a very Zen, cosmic philosophy."

Jamie Lee Curtis is a strong contender to win best supporting actress

No one is a bigger "Everything Everywhere" fan than Curtis, who plays the hilariously named tax auditor Deirdre Beaubeirdre. The actress has been a self-described "weapon of mass promotion" since the film's release last spring, and went viral with her ecstatic reaction to Yeoh's Golden Globes win.

"I'm a cheerleader," Curtis told USA TODAY last fall. "Let's get Michelle gold right now. I will do everything in my power to support that."

Curtis might also pick up her own hardware come Sunday: She surprised at the SAG Awards with a supporting actress victory, besting presumed front-runners Angela Bassett ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever") and Kerry Condon ("The Banshees of Inisherin"). In her acceptance speech, the "Halloween" star paid tribute to her parents, actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, and joked about her "nepo baby" label. "I totally get it," she said. "But the truth of the matter is: I'm 64 years old and this is just amazing."

Where to stream 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'

"Everything Everywhere" is still playing on the big screen, having returned to theaters following its massive Oscar nominations haul. But you can also stream it at home with a Showtime subscription, or with a seven-day free trial to Showtime through Amazon Prime Video.

Contributing: Brian Truitt 

What else you should know before you watch Oscars 2023:

• Angela Bassett is long overdue for an Oscar Her advice? 'Just hang in there, girl.'

• When and where to watch Oscars 2023: Plus, who's hosting

• 'No blood will be shed': Host Jimmy Kimmel reveals Oscars red carpet is now champagne-colored

• From 'Everything Everywhere' to 'The Whale':Where to watch these Oscar-nominated movies now

• Paul Mescal:Everything to know about the Oscar-nominated heartthrob and future 'Gladiator'

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oscar odds: Why 'Everything Everywhere' is best picture front-runner