Rick & Morty: The Multiverse & Existentialism

 Love it or hate it, since its debut in 2013, Rick & Morty has become a cultural phenomenon known for its ability to blend absurd humor with complex philosophical questions. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the show revolves around the adventures of Rick Sanchez, a brilliant but nihilistic scientist, and his good-hearted yet impressionable grandson, Morty Smith. In this show, the writers try to… Wait! why am I even explaining Rick & Morty to you? Of course, you’ve at least heard of it.

No, this isn’t an essay about Rick & Morty. Well, it kind of is. But also not. This is an essay about how the show uses the multiverse to explore ideas of existentialism. Through its use of the multiverse, Rick & Morty confronts existentialist themes head-on by grappling with the absurdity of life, the burden of choice, and the pursuit of meaning in a seemingly indifferent cosmos. So, you know, the fun stuff.

So, without any further ado, this is how Rick & Morty does the multiverse and existentialism.

The Multiverse

First, let us start by explaining what the multiverse is. The concept itself comes from theoretical physics. According to some really smart people, there is a possibility that there exists an infinite number of universes, each with its own set of rules and variations on reality.

The writers of Rick & Morty use that concept to turn the multiverse into their own playground of creativity and chaos. Each universe we are introduced to operates independently, but they’re all interconnected. This allows Rick and Morty to travel between these different realities, which results in bizarre scenarios like worlds where pizzas order humans, planets ruled by sentient corn, and universes in which the very fabric of reality differs entirely.

The show treats the multiverse as both a comedic device and a philosophical tool. By presenting infinite versions of each character and scenario, it emphasizes the boundless nature of existence. But this abundance of possibilities also raises an existential question: how significant are the individuals and their choices and actions? If every conceivable reality exists somewhere, does anything truly matter? For example, if you lost a loved one in your universe, would you still mourn them if you could just get a substitute from another universe?

In the show, the infinite nature of the multiverse often leads to similar nihilistic questions—often with dark answers. Rick, who fully comprehends the implications of this vastness, embodies this perspective. For example, in the episode "Rick Potion No. 9," Rick and Morty abandon their original universe after creating an irreparable catastrophe. They simply leave their original family behind in the dangerous world they created and live their lives with another version of their family right after burying their other selves from their new universe in the backyard. As a matter of fact, we don’t even know what Rick’s original universe is, and we don’t care because Rick himself doesn’t care. The reason for our indifference is that Rick’s ability to simply leave one reality and settle in another makes us share his belief in the lack of an intrinsic value in any specific version of existence. Simply put, if there is an infinity of something, it, paradoxically, loses all value.

Existentialism

Existentialist philosophy revolves around the concept of the absurd: the conflict between humanity’s search for meaning and the universe’s indifference to humanity’s pursuits. Rick & Morty shows this tension in numerous episodes. In "Get Schwifty," for example, Earth faces destruction at the whim of an alien entity demanding musical entertainment. The absurdity of this premise shows the randomness and fragility of our existence by poking fun at humanity’s tendency to ascribe meaning to arbitrary events and how something could wipe us out for no satisfying reason. In short, we have the freedom of choice in this universe, but it just happens that the universe doesn’t care.

Existentialist thinkers like Sartre emphasize the weight of freedom by arguing that individuals are condemned to make choices without the guidance of universal principles. The multiverse amplifies this burden by presenting characters with infinite possibilities. Rick, with his unmatched intelligence and technological prowess, epitomizes ultimate freedom. But this freedom comes at a cost: the paralyzing awareness of life’s inherent meaninglessness.

Morty, in contrast, struggles with the moral implications of their adventures. Episodes like "The Ricks Must Be Crazy" reveal his discomfort with the ethical compromises necessitated by their exploits. The multiverse’s infinite options exacerbate his internal conflict by forcing him to confront the impossibility of consistently making "right" choices.

Actually, the show keeps returning to the theme of mortality by contrasting Rick’s nihilistic worldview with Morty’s strive for idealism and morality. Characters grapple with their fragility even within a reality where death basically means nothing in the grand scheme of things. In "Rixty Minutes," one of the interdimensional cable episodes, Beth and Jerry confront alternate versions of their lives and realize that their current existence, though imperfect, holds intrinsic value because the reality they inhabit isn’t just a reality, it’s their reality. This important moment highlights the tension between longing for other possibilities and accepting one’s present reality.

Rick’s self-destructive tendencies further show the existential struggle with meaning and mortality. While he often appears indifferent to life, moments of vulnerability—such as his suicide attempt in "Auto Erotic Assimilation"—reveal a deep internal conflict. These scenes humanize Rick by suggesting that even the most nihilistic people are not immune to the search for meaning.

In the show, Rick embodies the existential antihero, a character who confronts the absurdity of existence with cynicism and detachment. His unparalleled intelligence enables him to visit every single possible universe, but for a man how who can meet an infinite number of people, he is still the loneliest man in the infinite multiverse. For Rick, understanding the universe’s indifference leads to his despair rather than his empowerment because from his perspective, if the universe doesn’t care about him then he sure isn’t going to care about it either.

Conclusion

In the end, all I can say is that Rick & Morty masterfully blends science fiction and existential philosophy by using the multiverse as a lens to examine the human condition. Through its exploration of absurdity, freedom, and mortality, the show challenges viewers to confront life’s inherent meaninglessness while finding their own purpose. Dark humor and complex characters like Rick provide a compelling narrative framework that makes Rick & Morty both a profound and an entertaining critique of modern existence.

And that’s it. How Rick & Morty does the multiverse & existentialism. I hope you’ve enjoyed this essay. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to like and subscribe. Until next time. Salam!