A kaleidoscopic sci-fi odyssey exploring the infinite branching paths of a single life, where choice is a heavy burden and every existence becomes a masterpiece of chaos and emotional resonance.

Mr. Nobody

"Nothing is real, everything is possible."

06 November 2009 Belgium 141 min 7.8 (6,069)

Director: Jaco Van Dormael

Cast: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh-Dan Pham, Rhys Ifans

Drama Romance Science Fiction The Burden of Choice Chaos Theory and the Butterfly Effect Love and Fate Time and Entropy

Budget: $47,000,000

Box Office: $2,331,721

Mr. Nobody — Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible.

— Nemo (Age 9)

Context

Nemo contemplates his parents' divorce and the weight of having to choose between them.

Meaning

The central thesis of the film regarding the paralysis of potential. Once a choice is made, other possibilities are 'killed'.

In chess, it's called Zugzwang... when the only viable move is not to move at all.

— Old Nemo

Context

Old Nemo explains his life philosophy to the confused journalist in 2092.

Meaning

Explains why Nemo 'failed' to make a choice—by doing nothing, he preserves all potential futures.

Every path is the right path. Everything could have been anything else and it would have just as much meaning.

— Nemo (Age 118)

Context

His final realization before the Big Crunch begins.

Meaning

The ultimate resolution of the film's philosophical conflict: a rejection of regret.

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