Eternals (2021)
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Immortal beings known as the Eternals emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect Earth from their ancient counterparts, the Deviants.
The story
In 5000 BC, ten superpowered beings known as Eternals are sent to Earth by a Celestial to exterminate invasive entities known as the Deviants. After the last Deviants are killed in 1521, the group's opinions differ over their continued relationship with humankind. They spend the next 500 years living apart, waiting for further orders. In the present day, Sersi and Sprite live in London, where Sersi is in a relationship with a human. When they are attacked by a Deviant, Ikaris arrives to help. The trio travels to South Dakota to find their leader, Ajak, and discovers she is dead, leading Sersi to be named her successor.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Sersi learns that the Eternals' mission was to prepare Earth for the Emergence of a new Celestial, Tiamut, which would destroy the planet. To stop this, the Eternals reunite. During a confrontation in the Amazon, they face Deviants and Druig proposes using the Uni-Mind to put Tiamut to sleep. However, Ikaris, loyal to Arishem, refuses to help. He reveals he led Ajak to her death. Sprite joins Ikaris out of love, while Kingo chooses to stay with his friends. At the site of the Emergence in the Indian Ocean, the group faces a final stand. Druig is unable to put Tiamut to sleep, and Sersi uses the Uni-Mind to turn the Celestial into stone. Ikaris, unable to kill Sersi due to his love for her, flies into the Sun. Sersi turns Sprite into a human. Thena, Druig, and Makkari depart to warn other Eternals. Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo are taken by Arishem into a singularity, where he promises to spare humanity if their memories show humans are worthy. The film concludes with a mid-credits scene featuring Eros and a post-credits scene featuring a man questioning Dane Whitman's readiness to wield the Ebony Blade.
- First release year
- 2021
- Runtime (minutes)
- 156
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Chloé Zhao
- Writers
- Chloé Zhao · screenplay; Patrick Burleigh · screenplay; Ryan Firpo · screenplay; Kaz Firpo · screenplay; Ryan Firpo · story; Kaz Firpo · story
- Cast and characters
- Gemma Chan · Sersi; Richard Madden · Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani · Kingo; Lia McHugh · Sprite; Brian Tyree Henry · Phastos; Lauren Ridloff · Makkari; Barry Keoghan · Druig; Don Lee · Gilgamesh; Kit Harington · Dane Whitman; Salma Hayek · Ajak; Angelina Jolie · Thena
- Genres
- superhero; fantasy; action
- Themes
- identity; purpose; faith; personal freedom versus greater good
- Tone and mood
- mythic; grand; intimate
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; ancient aliens; multigenerational
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its visuals and themes, but criticism regarding its pacing and screenplay.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 52 · scale: 100 · review count: 62; CinemaScore · score: B · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Seal of Authentic Representation · Ruderman Family Foundation · 2021 · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was the first MCU film to not receive generally positive reviews.; The film was the first MCU film to feature a gay superhero.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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