Eternals (2021)
Director: Chloé Zhao
Screenwriters: Chloé Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, Kaz Firpo
Starring: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Barry Keoghan, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Kumail Nanjiani
Released in late 2021, Eternals represents one of Marvel Studios’ boldest and most ambitious entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Chloé Zhao—an Academy Award–winning filmmaker—the film introduces a new ensemble of immortal characters who have quietly shaped human history for millennia. With a running time of approximately two hours and thirty-seven minutes, Eternals departs from the typical Marvel tempo, allowing for deeper character development, expansive worldbuilding, and philosophical themes that explore purpose, identity, and mortality.
The Eternals are a group of ten superhuman beings sent to Earth to protect humanity from monstrous Deviants and to foster the long-term development of civilisation. Introducing ten primary characters in a single film is a daunting task, yet the screenplay finds ways to give each Eternal moments that reveal their personalities, conflicts, and loyalties. Standout performances include Gemma Chan as Sersi, a compassionate Eternal with a deep connection to humanity; Richard Madden as Ikaris, whose arc brims with emotional complexity; Barry Keoghan as Druig, who brings moral ambiguity and tension; Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, whose personal journey touches on family and belonging; and Angelina Jolie as Thena, whose internal struggles are both tragic and heroic.
Not every character receives equal screen time, and some narrative threads feel inevitably abbreviated given the cast size. One of the film’s more divisive elements is Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo, a character meant to inject humour and charisma but who, at times, reads as grating rather than endearing. Despite that unevenness, the ensemble largely succeeds in creating a mosaic of perspectives that enrich the film’s central questions about duty, freedom, and what it means to be human.
Visually, Eternals is striking. Zhao’s cinematic sensibility—known for contemplative pacing and naturalistic compositions—translates into sweeping set pieces, intimate character moments, and thoughtfully composed location work that ranges from ancient Babylon to modern metropolises. The costume design is particularly notable: each Eternal wears a distinct suit that reflects personality and origin, resulting in some of the most inventive and beautiful superhero wardrobes in recent memory. The production design and visual effects serve these sequences well, blending practical sets and CG to create a sense of scale without losing emotional focus.
Where Eternals distinguishes itself from other MCU entries is in its thematic ambition. Rather than focusing solely on battles and quips, the film wrestles with existential concerns—faith, purpose, and the ethics of intervention. Zhao’s direction allows quieter scenes to breathe, letting actors convey the heavy toll of immortality and the weight of choices that affect entire civilizations. Even the action scenes are grounded with stakes that feel genuinely risky; the film manages to build suspense and uncertainty in moments when audiences might expect invulnerability.
Diversity and representation are central to Eternals’ identity. The cast spans a wide range of ages, ethnicities, genders, and orientations, and the film treats that diversity not as a token flourish but as intrinsic to the story. The characters’ differences—cultural backgrounds, moral outlooks, personal attachments—are used to create meaningful contrasts and alliances that propel the narrative forward. This inclusive approach broadens the MCU’s emotional palette and anchors fantastical events in relatable human concerns.
Of course, integrating a distinctive auteur voice into a sprawling franchise is a risk, and some viewers may find the film’s rhythm or philosophical leanings at odds with more conventional superhero fare. Yet those differences are also the film’s strengths: Chloé Zhao brings maturity, restraint, and empathy, producing a Marvel entry that feels like a genuine celebration of life and human diversity. Eternals asks its audience to look beyond spectacle, offering instead a reflection on legacy and the ways ordinary people—and gods disguised as guardians—shape the world.
In sum, Eternals is a visually sumptuous, thematically rich addition to the MCU. It is not without flaws—uneven character focus and moments of tonal dissonance—but it succeeds in expanding what a comic-book film can explore. For viewers tired of formulaic superhero movies, Eternals provides a thoughtful, ambitious alternative. The film’s strengths in casting, design, and emotional scope make it one of the standout films of 2021 within the franchise.
22/24
