Released in November 2021 and directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals represents a bold and ambitious expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Departing from the urban superhero battles familiar to audiences, the film introduces a group of immortal, godlike beings who have secretly lived among humans for thousands of years. The Eternals’ story explores themes of duty, morality, identity, and the complex consequences of intervention, emphasizing philosophical and cosmic questions often absent in more conventional MCU entries.
With a diverse ensemble cast and a unique narrative approach, Eternals expands the MCU’s scope, both thematically and visually. It challenges traditional superhero storytelling by focusing on introspection, societal evolution, and existential dilemmas, while retaining action, spectacle, and Marvel’s characteristic humor.
Plot Overview
Eternals begins with a historical prologue, showing the Eternals—Celestially created beings—intervening throughout human history to guide civilizations and combat their monstrous counterparts, the Deviants. These early sequences establish the characters’ powers, their immortality, and their commitment to protecting humanity, all while following orders from the Celestial Arishem, who remains distant and enigmatic.
In the present day, the Eternals have gone their separate ways, living incognito across the world. The re-emergence of Deviants prompts the group to reunite, forcing them to confront both external threats and internal tensions. Each Eternal possesses unique abilities: Ikaris (Richard Madden) has energy projection and flight; Sersi (Gemma Chan) manipulates matter; Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) shoots cosmic projectiles; Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) is a technological innovator; and Thena (Angelina Jolie) is a skilled warrior.
As the Eternals investigate the Deviants’ resurgence, Sersi discovers disturbing truths: their mission may be serving the Celestials’ greater plan to birth new Celestials, even at the cost of human civilizations. This revelation creates moral conflict among the group, challenging their loyalty, their understanding of purpose, and the very nature of heroism.
The climax centers on the Eternals’ decision to defy the Celestials’ predetermined plan, protect humanity, and confront the existential consequences of their immortality. By choosing to act independently, they assert agency over their destiny, emphasizing themes of morality, choice, and responsibility in a universe governed by cosmic forces.
Themes and Analysis
1. Duty and Morality
A central theme of Eternals is the tension between duty and morality. The Eternals are bound by a mandate from the Celestials to guide and protect humanity, yet this duty comes into conflict with ethical considerations as they realize the Celestials’ ultimate goal may harm the very people they are sworn to protect.
This moral dilemma underscores a critical question: is true heroism blind obedience to authority or the courage to act according to one’s ethical principles? The Eternals’ struggle illustrates that morality is often complex, requiring judgment, courage, and a willingness to challenge higher powers in pursuit of justice.
2. Immortality and Isolation
The film explores the existential consequences of immortality. The Eternals witness the rise and fall of human civilizations, experience personal loss, and endure centuries of separation from those they care about. This perspective provides a profound exploration of time, memory, and the emotional burden of watching humanity evolve while remaining unchanged.
Characters like Sersi and Phastos struggle with their immortality in ways that humanize them, highlighting the tension between timelessness and the desire for connection, intimacy, and purpose. The film uses these emotional stakes to ground cosmic characters in relatable human experiences.
3. Identity and Self-Determination
Eternals emphasizes identity and self-determination. Each Eternal grapples with their purpose, the ethical implications of their actions, and the conflict between their nature and choices. Sersi’s leadership and ethical reasoning contrast with Ikaris’ adherence to Celestial orders, creating tension and philosophical debate within the group.
By choosing to defy the Celestials, the Eternals assert autonomy over their destinies, illustrating a central MCU theme: heroism involves exercising moral judgment, even when it challenges authority or cosmic design.
4. Diversity and Representation
Eternals is notable for its diverse cast and inclusive representation. Characters vary in ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and abilities, reflecting a modern and global perspective. Gemma Chan’s Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo, Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos, and Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari exemplify this inclusivity.
By emphasizing diversity without making it the sole narrative focus, the film presents a world where heroism and power transcend conventional boundaries, aligning with contemporary social values while maintaining a universal appeal.
Characters and Performances
Sersi (Gemma Chan):
Sersi serves as the emotional and ethical center of the film. Her empathy, intellect, and moral reasoning drive the narrative, particularly her insistence on protecting humanity even when it conflicts with Celestial directives. Gemma Chan delivers a nuanced performance, balancing warmth, strength, and gravitas.
Ikaris (Richard Madden):
Ikaris embodies loyalty and power but struggles with moral complexity. His commitment to the Celestials’ orders creates tension with Sersi’s ethical perspective, illustrating the conflict between obedience and independent moral judgment.
Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani):
Kingo provides comic relief and charisma, blending humor with heroism. His journey highlights themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and finding purpose in a world that undervalues immortals.
Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry):
Phastos represents intellect, creativity, and ethical responsibility. His internal conflict centers on balancing technological innovation with the consequences of wielding power, providing a relatable lens on responsibility in a global context.
Thena (Angelina Jolie), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Druig (Barry Keoghan), Gilgamesh (Don Lee), Sprite (Lia McHugh):
Each Eternal contributes unique abilities and perspectives, enriching the narrative. Thena’s warrior ethos, Makkari’s speed, Druig’s moral ambiguity, Gilgamesh’s strength, and Sprite’s youthful frustration provide depth, tension, and balance to the ensemble.
Celestials / Arishem:
Arishem functions as a distant, imposing authority figure whose inscrutable motives challenge the Eternals to act independently. The Celestials’ presence underscores cosmic stakes and philosophical questions about fate, agency, and morality.
Cinematography and Visual Style
Chloé Zhao and cinematographer Ben Davis employ a visually striking style, blending epic cosmic imagery with grounded, human-scale moments. Locations span multiple continents, emphasizing the Eternals’ global presence and influence throughout human history.
Action sequences combine practical effects with CGI, particularly in battles against the Deviants and depictions of superhuman abilities. The visual representation of Celestial power, cosmic energy, and the Eternals’ abilities is awe-inspiring, reinforcing the grandeur and scale of the narrative.
The film’s cinematography balances epic spectacle with intimate storytelling, using wide shots to convey cosmic stakes and close-ups to emphasize emotional depth, allowing audiences to connect with immortal beings on a human level.
Tone and Humor
While Eternals explores serious themes such as morality, mortality, and cosmic duty, it also incorporates moments of humor and lightness, primarily through character interactions. Kingo’s wit, Druig’s sarcasm, and the playful dynamics among the Eternals provide levity without undermining the story’s philosophical weight.
The tone is more contemplative and reflective than traditional MCU blockbusters, emphasizing emotional resonance, interpersonal conflict, and ethical dilemmas alongside spectacle and action.
Impact and Legacy
Eternals expands the MCU’s thematic and narrative boundaries, introducing cosmic and philosophical storytelling. By exploring existential questions, moral ambiguity, and the long-term consequences of heroism, the film challenges audiences to consider the responsibilities of power and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who intervene in human affairs.
The film’s diverse cast and inclusive storytelling reflect contemporary social values, contributing to the MCU’s ongoing commitment to representation and equity. It also sets up future narrative possibilities, including the exploration of Celestial history, cosmic threats, and the evolving role of the Eternals within the MCU’s interconnected storyline.
While the film received mixed reviews regarding pacing and complexity, it was praised for its ambition, visual effects, performances, and thematic depth. Its significance lies in its willingness to tackle existential, ethical, and philosophical questions, broadening the scope of superhero cinema.
Conclusion
Eternals is a bold and ambitious addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, exploring immortality, duty, morality, and the complexities of heroism on a cosmic scale. By focusing on character-driven storytelling, philosophical dilemmas, and ethical choices, the film challenges traditional superhero narratives and emphasizes the human dimensions of godlike beings.
The ensemble cast delivers compelling performances, with Sersi and Ikaris providing the central moral and philosophical conflict, while the other Eternals contribute humor, tension, and perspective. The film’s cinematography, visual effects, and cosmic scale create a visually stunning and immersive experience, balancing spectacle with emotional resonance.
Ultimately, Eternals underscores that heroism is defined not solely by power but by moral courage, empathy, and the willingness to make difficult ethical choices. By confronting the consequences of immortality, the influence of authority, and the challenges of self-determination, the film expands the MCU’s narrative and thematic horizons, offering audiences a thoughtful, reflective, and visually breathtaking exploration of what it means to protect humanity while grappling with the weight of cosmic responsibility.
