Andy Weir’s Most Underrated Adaptation Is Streaming For Free On YouTube

In 2009, sci-fi writer Andy Weir — higher often known as the writer of “The Martian” and “Challenge Hail Mary” — penned a brief story referred to as “The Egg,” which is so profound, it would truly alter the best way you behave. The story adopted a nondescript 48-year-old man after he died in a automotive accident. The story is addressed within the second particular person and narrated by “the being,” who speaks within the first particular person. The being, who’s God or another supreme religious presence, explains that transmigration is actual and that you’ll quickly be reincarnated into a brand new physique. Particularly, you’ll turn out to be a lady in China within the 12 months AD 540. 

The being explains that you’re truly the one soul in all the universe, and that, over a really, very lengthy timeline, you’re slowly being reincarnated as each being who has ever existed on planet Earth. You’re Jesus, you’re Abraham Lincoln, you’re each single Holocaust sufferer. Each particular person you harmed is you. Each particular person you really liked was additionally you. Each human being is identical particular person. As soon as each life has been skilled, you can be reincarnated as a god. The universe is a god egg, and all of human historical past is a mere gestational interval. 

In an interview with Grimdark Journal, Weir famous that “The Egg” was one thing that he simply banged it out in about 40 minutes. Maybe he had simply been musing on numerous theological whatsits.

In 2019, a German animation studio referred to as Kurzgesagt launched an eight-minute quick movie adaptation of “The Egg.” The movie was made with Weir’s blessing and is at the moment obtainable on YouTube. You’ll be able to watch it at this time, however you’ll want to save a while for all of the weeping you may do afterward. 

“The Egg” was half of a big, years-long animated collection that Kurzgesagt produces, referred to as “Kurzgesagt: In a Nutshell.” The collection is a dreamy, contemplative present asking questions like what would occur if we detonated all of Earth’s nuclear bombs on the similar time. “The Egg” was the nineteenth episode of the seventh season. It was directed by Philipp Dettmer, and the script was tailored by James Gurney, maybe finest recognized for writing and portray the frilly “Dinotopia” books. The movie was narrated by Steve Taylor. 

When requested about “The Egg” for Gromdark Journal, Weir was modest. He appreciated the concepts within the story, after all, however he did not ever intend for it to be a very profound theological textual content. He did not count on individuals to connect themselves to it the best way they did. He stated: 

“I did a single edit move then posted it to my website. I did not count on it to be important. It was simply one among many quick tales I wrote in that interval. Then it blew up and obtained actually widespread. I am glad it did. However I do get the occasional e mail from somebody who believes ‘The Egg’ is definitely true. I all the time make certain to inform them I do not suppose it is true. It is only a story I made up. I additionally do not imagine there is a man stranded on Mars. These are simply tales.” 

In fact, the notion that the universe comprises a single soul and that we’re all the identical particular person can really feel fairly profound and should encourage one to be kinder to at least one’s fellow people. Weir seemingly extrapolated his story from many historic texts and religious writings that envision the cosmos as an unlimited egg. 

A enjoyable, diplomatic line from “The Egg” issues faith. When the “you” character learns that he’s to be reincarnated, his first thought is to say, “So, the Hindus had been proper.” The supreme being notes that each one religions are proper “in their very own method.” 

Because it so occurs, “The Egg” has been tailored to movie quite a few occasions. In response to IMDb, there’s a 2025 movie titled “I, God,” directed by Matija Max Vidovich, that can also be primarily based on the story. Daniel Banchik Herranz made a brief movie of it in 2023, and Fred Grant made a model in 2020. There was one other 2019 adaptation made by Andrej Dojkic, and a 2018 quick referred to as “An Egg” by Timothy Judd. Nataliia Weaver made the 2018 movie, and there appears to have been a 2015 adaptation by Josef Orlandi. The earliest adaptation of “The Egg” was the 2012 quick “Ägget” by Hjalmar Ekström Wikander and Tage Wikander Hervén. As one can see from all these filmmakers’ names, variations of “The Egg” come from everywhere in the world.

In fact, Weir’s novels “The Martian” and “Challenge Hail Mary” have been tailored into widespread function movies as effectively, with the previous directed by Ridley Scott in 2015 and the latter by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in 2026. Weir is a considerate author with a penchant for scientific element, but additionally a penchant for whimsy. In his view, humanity’s biggest energy appears to be our capability for retaining our good humor within the face of cosmic cataclysm. That, too, is inspirational. 

I’m he, as you’re he, as you’re me, and we’re all collectively. He’s the “Egg” man. Goo-goo-g’joob.