What does it feel like to grow up in Silicon Valley’s shiny, innovation-scented yet equally ruthless world? Everything to Me (also known as The Book of Jobs) takes us right to the heart of that question, transporting us to the legendary 1997 Apple era when Steve Jobs made his comeback. Kayci Lacob’s debut directorial effort paints not a success story, but a portrait of a deadly obsession with success.
Here’s an in-depth look at the story of a young girl growing up in the shadow of Silicon Valley:
The film follows the journey from childhood to adulthood of a young girl named Claudia (Abigail Donaghy). But Claudia is no ordinary teenager; she’s a Silicon Valley native who has sworn to become the next Steve Jobs, covering her bedroom walls with Apple posters and building her entire imagination around “success.”
Obsession with Success and a Critique of “Hustle Culture”
In this semi-autobiographical story, Kayci Lacob centers one of today’s biggest issues: “hustle culture” (relentless work and ambition for success). Claudia’s admiration for Jobs eventually ceases to be healthy motivation and turns into an obsession that damages all the human connections around her.
The Danger of Hero Worship: The film discusses how figures like Steve Jobs can become problematic role models in young minds. What is sacrificed for success is presented powerfully through Claudia’s increasingly isolated world.
Mother-Daughter Dynamic: Judy Greer shines as the mother trying to guide her ambitious daughter. The on-screen chemistry between the two is one of the film’s strongest assets. The conflict between these two generations—with completely opposing definitions of success—forms the emotional foundation of the film.
Why Are Critics and Audiences Divided?
Don’t let the film’s 4.8 IMDb rating mislead you; this is typically the result of polarization seen in “niche” and “experimental” independent films.
A Personal Note: Everything to Me is not a Hollywood film that appeals to everyone. If you’re expecting a fast-paced, action-packed story, you might be disappointed. However, if you love Silicon Valley’s unique, tech-focused atmosphere and are looking for a somewhat melancholic coming-of-age tale focused on character development, the film promises a lot.
The film’s most criticized aspects:
Tempo issues for some viewers and the story occasionally losing focus.
The obsessive nature of the main character Claudia being found “repellent” or “hard to relate to” by some audiences.
Apartment No:26 Note
Despite its technical flaws, Everything to Me is worth watching for the magnificent performances of Abigail Donaghy and Judy Greer alone. It makes a strong contribution to the rising 2025 trend of questioning “success culture.”
If you love intimate coming-of-age stories like Lady Bird or productions that reveal the dark side of the tech world like The Social Network, you should give this film a chance.
