Eternals

Eternals

Year: 2021

Runtime: 156 min

Language: English

Director: Chloé Zhao

Echo Score: 67
ActionAdventureSci-FiDramaFantasy

After centuries of hiding, an immortal group of heroes known as the Eternals are called to action. They must reunite to defend humanity from their ancient adversaries, the Deviants, who threaten the survival of Earth. As they confront this formidable foe, the Eternals also grapple with the mysteries of their origins and a devastating loss that compels them to reveal themselves.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Eternals yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Eternals (2021) – Ending Explained & Final Scene Breakdown

Still thinking about how Eternals (2021) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.

The ending of “Eternals” reveals a complex and thought-provoking conclusion to the characters’ journey. Throughout the film, the Eternals discover that their true mission was not solely to fight the Deviants but to prepare for the impending Emergence, a catastrophic event when a Celestial named Tiamut would be born from within Earth, destroying the planet in the process. They learn that their entire existence has been manipulated by Arishem, the Celestial who commands them, and that their purpose was part of a larger cosmic cycle involving the creation and destruction of worlds.

As the story reaches its climax, the Eternals are divided over how to handle the threat of Tiamut and the impending Emergence. Ikaris, convinced that they should not interfere with the natural order, chooses to fight against the others after revealing he killed Ajak, their leader, when she opposed Arishem’s plan. His stance is rooted in a belief that stopping the Celestial would end countless lives, but he ultimately cannot bring himself to kill Sersi, the woman he loves, which leads to his emotional breakdown. He decides to leave Earth by flying into the Sun, suggesting that he may still be alive elsewhere, leaving his fate ambiguous.

Meanwhile, Sersi, empowered by the residual energy from Tiamut, manages to persuade the others to unite against the Celestial threat. Using Druig’s ability to put Tiamut to sleep, they fight a brutal and intense battle, during which they turn on one another, showing the deep divisions among them. Despite the chaos, Sersi’s love and determination succeed in bringing them together to defeat Tiamut. After the victory, the remaining Eternals—Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo—stay behind on Earth, while others, including Thena, Druig, and Makkari, leave with the newly arrived Celestial Arishem, who takes them to be evaluated.

In the mid-credits scene, Arishem appears again, collecting the survivors and indicating that he will assess whether their decision to save humanity aligns with their original purpose. The scene then introduces Eros, played by Harry Styles, who is revealed to be Thanos’s brother and an Eternal capable of communicating with Arishem. Eros’s arrival hints at the importance of their continued story in the evolving Marvel universe, especially as the multiverse narrative expands. The film ends with the Eternals scattered across the cosmos, pondering their next move, with the knowledge that their existence is intertwined with larger cosmic forces and future threats. This ending opens the door for new adventures and deeper explorations of their true origins and roles in the universe.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with cosmic heroes and moral dilemmas like Eternals

Ancient beings confront the heavy cost of their divine purpose and immense power.If you enjoyed the grand scale and ethical conflicts in Eternals, this section features similar movies. Discover other stories about godlike beings, mythological figures, or super-powered individuals who face earth-shattering choices that challenge their very existence and purpose.

epicgrandiosecontemplativemorally complexmythologicalintrospectivetragicweighty

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow powerful, often ancient, beings as a crisis forces them to re-evaluate their role. The plot revolves around a major moral dilemma that pits their original mission against their evolved connections to humanity or each other, leading to internal strife and potentially tragic sacrifices.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a focus on the intersection of immense power and profound moral responsibility. They blend epic, world-altering stakes with intimate character studies, creating a tone that is both grandiose and introspectively heavy.

Movies with bittersweet victories and heavy costs like Eternals

Stories where saving the world comes with profound, lasting personal losses.For viewers who appreciated the emotionally complex ending of Eternals, this collection features movies with similar bittersweet conclusions. Explore films where the heroes succeed in their mission, but their victory is tempered by heartbreaking losses, personal sacrifices, or a somber outlook on the future.

bittersweetmelancholictragic victorysomberemotionalcostly winpoignantheartbreaking

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a high-stakes conflict where the heroes ultimately prevail, but their success is directly tied to a devastating personal cost—such as the death of allies, the fracturing of relationships, or a newfound existential burden. The final act acknowledges the win while focusing on the characters' grief and the ambiguous nature of their hard-won peace.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared emotional conclusion. They deliver on the promise of a climactic resolution but subvert a purely celebratory ending, opting instead for a more realistic and poignant tone that lingers on the consequences of heroism.

Unlock the Full Story of Eternals

Don't stop at just watching — explore Eternals in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Eternals is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Eternals Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Eternals, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Eternals Summary

Eternals Timeline

Track the full timeline of Eternals with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Eternals Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Eternals

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Eternals. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Eternals

Eternals Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Eternals that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Eternals Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Eternals

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Eternals: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Eternals

Similar Movies to Eternals

Discover movies like Eternals that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.