Movie Name: Eternals

Released Date: November 6, 2020

Eternals is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics race known as the Eternals. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 26th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Chloé Zhao, the screenplay was written by Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo. The film features an ensemble cast, including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie. The story follows the Eternals, immortal extraterrestrial beings, who emerge after thousands of years to defend Earth from their ancient adversaries, the Deviants.

Plot

In 5000 BC, ten superpowered beings known as the Eternals—Ajak, Sersi, Ikaris, Kingo, Sprite, Phastos, Makkari, Druig, Gilgamesh, and Thena—are dispatched to Earth by Arishem, a Celestial, aboard the starship Domo. Their mission is to eradicate the Deviants, dangerous creatures that threaten life on Earth. After the last Deviants are slain in 1521, the Eternals disagree about their role in human affairs. Over the following centuries, they live separately, awaiting further instructions from Arishem.

In the present day, Sersi and Sprite live together in London. Sersi, who was abandoned by her partner Ikaris centuries ago, is now romantically involved with Dane Whitman, a human who works at the Natural History Museum. Their lives are disrupted when they are attacked by the Deviant Kro. Ikaris appears and drives the creature away. The three Eternals travel to South Dakota to meet their leader, Ajak, only to find she has been killed. Sersi is chosen by Ajak as her successor, gaining the ability to communicate with Arishem.

Sersi soon learns that their true mission was to prepare Earth for the Emergence of a new Celestial. Arishem reveals that for millions of years, Celestial seeds have been planted inside planets, with the energy of large populations fueling the birth of new Celestials. The Deviants were originally sent to eliminate the apex predators of each planet, ensuring intelligent life could develop. However, after the Deviants evolved and began preying on the planet's native species, the Eternals were created to stop them. With Earth's population now restored after the Blip, it has grown large enough to trigger the Emergence, which will destroy the planet to birth the Celestial Tiamut.

In an attempt to stop the Emergence, the Eternals regroup. At Druig’s home in the Amazon rainforest, they are ambushed by the Deviants, who kill all but Kro. Kro kills Gilgamesh before fleeing. Phastos suggests using the Uni-Mind, a collective connection that would empower Druig to use his mind-control abilities to put Tiamut to sleep. However, Ikaris remains loyal to Arishem and refuses to aid their cause. He reveals that Ajak wanted to prevent the Emergence and save humanity, and that he led the Deviants to kill her. Sprite, infatuated with Ikaris, sides with him, while Kingo decides to leave.

Makkari tracks the Emergence site, an active volcano in the Indian Ocean, where Ikaris and Sprite confront the others. Druig knocks out Sprite, and Phastos restrains Ikaris. Kro arrives but is killed by Thena. Druig is unable to stop Tiamut, and Sersi uses her powers to attempt turning him into marble. Ikaris breaks free and tries to kill Sersi but hesitates due to his love for her. Both he and Sprite join the others in the Uni-Mind, enabling Sersi to turn Tiamut to marble. Overcome with guilt, Ikaris flies into the Sun. Sersi uses the remaining Uni-Mind energy to turn Sprite into a human, freeing her from her eternal childhood.

Thena, Druig, and Makkari depart aboard the Domo to warn other Eternals about the Emergences. Whitman confesses his love for Sersi and is about to reveal a secret about his family when she, Phastos, and Kingo are taken into space by Arishem. Angry about their betrayal, Arishem offers humanity a chance to survive, stating that he will judge humanity’s worth based on the Eternals’ memories. He takes them into a singularity, vowing to return for judgment.

In a mid-credits scene, Thena, Makkari, and Druig encounter the Eternal Eros and his assistant, Pip the Troll. In a post-credits scene, an unseen figure questions whether Whitman is ready to wield the Ebony Blade.