Eternals
Movie, 2021, Phase 4, Set in 2024
Eternals is #36 of 69 in release order and #38 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
Eternals recap
Seven thousand years ago, the Celestial Arishem sent ten immortal Eternals to Earth to protect humans from predators called Deviants, with orders never to interfere in human conflict. They split up after 1521. In present-day London, Sersi, who lives with the eternally young Sprite and dates Dane Whitman, is attacked by a Deviant. With her ex, Ikaris, she finds their leader Ajak dead and inherits her link to Arishem. Sersi learns the truth: Earth is an egg for a new Celestial, Tiamut, and the return of half of life in the Blip has given it enough energy to hatch, destroying the planet in an event called the Emergence. The Eternals are machines built to make it happen. The team regathers Kingo, Phastos, Druig, Makkari, Thena and Gilgamesh, who is killed by the Deviant leader Kro. Ikaris admits he killed Ajak to protect the Emergence, and Sprite sides with him.
Eternals ending explained
Sersi joins the others' power in the Uni-Mind and turns Tiamut to stone in the Indian Ocean, stopping the Emergence. Ikaris flies into the sun out of guilt, and Sersi makes Sprite human. Arishem then takes Sersi, Kingo and Phastos into space to judge humanity through their memories.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. In the mid-credits scene, Thena, Makkari and Druig meet Eros, Thanos's brother, and his companion Pip. In the post-credits scene, Dane Whitman opens a box holding the Ebony Blade, and a voice, Blade's, asks if he is sure he is ready.
Where to watch Eternals
Eternals is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes 48%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, before Hawkeye.
- Chronological order: after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, before Spider-Man: No Way Home.
What to watch before Eternals
In release order, 27 Marvel Cinematic Universe essentials come before Eternals (2021), from Iron Man (2008) to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Eternals itself is optional in the Marvel Cinematic Universe order.
Cast
- Gemma Chan as Sersi
- Richard Madden as Ikaris
- Angelina Jolie as Thena
- Salma Hayek Pinault as Ajak
- Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo
- Lia McHugh as Sprite
- Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos
- Lauren Ridloff as Makkari
- Barry Keoghan as Druig
- Don Lee as Gilgamesh
- Bill Skarsgård as Kro (voice)
- Kit Harington as Dane Whitman
Directed by Chloé Zhao.