Marvel’s Eternals: A Visually Stunning, Character-Driven Epic Exploring Family, Duty, and Humanity
Marvel Studios continues to push the boundaries of its cinematic universe, introducing a new echelon of cosmic beings with its latest epic, Eternals. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, this ambitious film assembles an impressive ensemble cast, blending seasoned veterans like Angelina Jolie with rising stars such as Lia McHugh. While Eternals navigates the challenges of an expansive plot and a sprawling cast, it distinguishes itself not merely as another superhero blockbuster, but as a poignant family drama at its core, exploring themes of duty, humanity, and belonging across millennia.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) consistently expands its mythology, and with Eternals, it delves into a previously unseen corner of its vast cosmic tapestry. The film introduces the Eternals, an immortal alien race crafted by the powerful Celestials. Tasked with protecting humanity from the monstrous Deviants, these ten heroes have secretly guided Earth’s development for thousands of years, forbidden from interfering in human conflicts unless Deviants are involved. Zhao’s latest Marvel tale explores both their ancient past and their fractured present, as a new threat forces them to reunite and question their very purpose.
Introducing a Pantheon of Heroes: The Eternals’ Diverse Ensemble
Introducing a formidable roster of ten primary characters within a single film is an undertaking of immense scale, and Eternals, with its 2-hour and 37-minute runtime, endeavors to give each hero their due. While the sheer number of protagonists occasionally leads to an overstuffed narrative, requiring viewers to quickly connect with diverse backstories and motivations, the film largely succeeds in portraying a cohesive, albeit complex, family unit. Many critics suggested that Eternals might have thrived even more as a Disney+ limited series, allowing for deeper individual character arcs to unfold. However, within the confines of its cinematic structure, certain characters undeniably emerge with remarkable emotional resonance. Though Sersi (Gemma Chan) is initially positioned as the film’s focal point and a potential leader, it is arguably Thena, Druig, and Phastos who resonate most deeply, grounding the cosmic epic with profoundly human struggles.
Angelina Jolie, portraying the fierce warrior Thena, delivers a performance marked by a captivating, quiet force. While her screen time, relative to the ensemble, may feel insufficient to some fans, Jolie imbues Thena with a profound depth that leaves a lasting impression. Thena is a fighter to her core, but unlike her seemingly invincible peers, she grapples with Mahd Wy’ry, a form of cosmic PTSD, where the weight of her thousands of years of memories and battles threatens to overwhelm her. Jolie masterfully conveys Thena’s internal struggle, showcasing a character who is both immensely powerful and tragically vulnerable, constantly battling the echoes of her past. Her arc is one of the most compelling, highlighting the psychological toll of immortality and endless conflict.
Another standout character is Druig, brought to life by Barry Keoghan with a distinct swagger and sardonic wit. Druig possesses the power of mind control, a gift he desperately wishes to wield to prevent human conflict, putting him at ideological odds with his fellow Eternals who adhere strictly to their non-interference directive. Keoghan injects a much-needed edge and cynicism into the group dynamic, his sarcastic remarks often cutting through tension and providing moments of unexpected humor. His internal conflict — the desire to help humanity balanced against the commands of his creators — makes him incredibly relatable despite his immense power. Druig represents the internal rebellion against a pre-ordained destiny, questioning the morality of their mission and the suffering they passively observe.
While the long-standing, central romance between Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden) forms a significant pillar of the Eternals‘ narrative, the most effortless and electrifying chemistry within the ensemble belongs to Druig and Makkari. Portrayed by the groundbreaking actress Lauren Ridloff, Makkari makes history as Marvel’s first deaf superhero, communicating through American Sign Language (ASL) and using her super-speed to devastating effect. Despite years of separation, the connection between Druig and Makkari is undeniable, radiating warmth and unspoken understanding. Their interactions are often playful and filled with tender moments, underscored by a profound emotional pull that feels genuinely earned and organically developed, often overshadowing the more established but less vibrant connection between Sersi and Ikaris.
Marvel continues its stride towards greater representation with Phastos, the franchise’s first openly gay superhero. Brian Tyree Henry steps into this pivotal role with remarkable ease and authenticity. After millennia spent aiding the Eternals’ mission, Phastos has chosen a path of domesticity, settling into a quiet and fulfilling life as a devoted father and husband in the modern world. This choice provides him with a unique vulnerability and a heightened sense of stakes. When the looming threat necessitates his return to action, Phastos’s primary motivation is not abstract duty, but the tangible protection of his family. This deeply human connection makes Phastos arguably the most relatable of all the cosmic beings, as his fears and hopes echo those of an ordinary person, underscoring the film’s central theme of humanity.
Chloé Zhao’s Vision: A Visual Spectacle and Thematic Depth
Beyond its extensive cast, Eternals is a testament to the directorial prowess of Chloé Zhao, whose unique artistic vision shines through every frame. While the film’s narrative sometimes struggles under the weight of too many intertwining storylines and character introductions, its visual presentation is exceptionally stunning and consistently breathtaking. Zhao, renowned for her intimate, naturalistic filmmaking style, brings a fresh aesthetic to the MCU. She delivers some of the most spectacular visual effects ever seen within the franchise, seamlessly blending them with expansive, real-world landscapes. Her signature wide shots, capturing the majesty of sweeping vistas rather than relying solely on computer-generated imagery, elevate the film’s grandeur and lend it an earthy, grounded quality that contrasts beautifully with its cosmic premise. This commitment to practical locations and natural light imbues Eternals with a unique visual language, setting it apart from its MCU predecessors.
The film delves deep into its mythology, introducing not only the Eternals and Deviants but also the omnipotent Celestials who created them. This intricate backstory, spanning billions of years and cosmic events, provides a rich, philosophical backdrop for the personal drama unfolding among the Eternals. Themes of free will versus destiny, the moral implications of non-interference, and the true meaning of humanity are explored with a nuance rarely seen in mainstream superhero films. The narrative challenges the very foundations of heroism, asking what it means to protect a species you cannot truly connect with, and what sacrifices are acceptable in the name of a greater, hidden purpose. This philosophical leaning is a direct reflection of Zhao’s previous works, and she expertly weaves these complex questions into the fabric of a superhero epic.
Breaking the Marvel Mold and Future Implications
Eternals represents a deliberate departure from the typical Marvel movie formula, daring to embrace a more contemplative tone and a slower pace. There are moments where this artistic choice yields profound results, offering a more introspective and emotionally resonant experience. However, there are also instances where this deviation can make the film feel disjointed or overly expositional, particularly when juggling its extensive character introductions and flashback sequences. Despite these pacing issues, the film’s willingness to experiment and challenge conventional superhero tropes is commendable. Its commitment to diversity, not just in its cast but in its thematic explorations of love, family, and existential purpose, marks a significant evolution for the MCU.
The final act of Eternals leaves audiences with thrilling possibilities and exciting implications for the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. The introduction of such powerful beings and their cosmic creators opens up entirely new narrative avenues, suggesting numerous ways the Eternals could be integrated into future MCU phases. Whether through direct confrontations with established heroes or subtle background influences on Earth’s history, their presence irrevocably changes the landscape of the universe. The film culminates in a tantalizing setup for future storylines, promising epic encounters and deeper dives into the cosmic side of Marvel lore. Eternals, which was released in theaters on November 5, stands as a bold, ambitious, and ultimately rewarding entry into the MCU, a film that, despite its imperfections, bravely broadens the scope of what a superhero movie can be.