Eternals – A Bold New Chapter in the MCU's Cosmic Lore

🌌 Introduction

This review is part of the MCU Watch Order – explore all Marvel movies and shows in timeline order!

After Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed new directions. Eternals takes that challenge head-on. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, this film introduces a brand-new team of immortal beings, rich lore, and celestial mysteries that stretch back thousands of years. It’s not your typical Marvel movie – and that’s exactly the point.

🧩 Plot Overview

The Eternals are ancient beings sent by the Celestial Arishem to Earth thousands of years ago to protect humanity from monstrous creatures called Deviants. For centuries, they’ve guided civilization without interfering too directly.

When the Deviants re-emerge, the scattered team must reunite to face a new existential threat. But as secrets unravel, they begin to question their purpose, the nature of their creators, and whether humanity is truly worth saving.

It’s a deeply philosophical narrative that challenges the black-and-white morality often found in superhero stories.

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

Where previous Marvel films hinted at cosmic elements, Eternals dives straight in:

• The Celestials are introduced as godlike creators of life and worlds.
• The concept of Emergence adds new stakes to the universe’s balance.
• The film spans ancient Babylon to present-day London, offering a truly global scope.

It’s dense and mythology-heavy, but rewarding for those who appreciate deeper sci-fi storytelling. The visuals – from towering Celestials to natural landscapes – are among the MCU’s most beautiful.

🎭 Characters & Cast

The cast is incredibly diverse, both in representation and personality:

• Sersi (Gemma Chan) leads with empathy and curiosity.
• Ikaris (Richard Madden) embodies power, duty, and inner conflict.
• Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) brings levity and pop culture flair.
• Thena (Angelina Jolie) struggles with trauma in a powerful arc.
• Phastos, Makkari, Druig, and others each offer unique perspectives.

The ensemble nature makes it harder to go deep on every character, but the core emotional beats – particularly around loss, identity, and belief – land effectively.

⚔️ Action & Themes

Though less action-heavy than traditional MCU entries, Eternals delivers stylish battles when it counts. Each Eternal has distinct powers, leading to creatively choreographed fights.

But more than punches and powers, the film explores themes of:

• Free will vs. cosmic duty
• Loyalty vs. personal growth
• The weight of immortality

It’s a thoughtful take on heroism – less about saving the day, more about defining what "saving" really means.

👨‍👧‍👦 Our Experience & Recommendation

As a Marvel dad, Eternals was a surprising delight. It prompted more conversation than any recent MCU film – about gods, purpose, and sacrifice. While younger kids might find it slow or confusing, teens and adults will appreciate its ambition and heart.

It’s not a crowd-pleasing action fest, but a reflective experience that stays with you.

📌 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions