Eternals (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Eternals takes place on Earth across multiple locations. Sersi and Sprite live in modern-day London, while Thena and Gilgamesh reside in Australia. The Amazon rainforest serves as a key battleground against the Deviants, and the Indian Ocean becomes the backdrop for the final Emergence confrontation.

• earth settings
• london
• australia
• amazon rainforest
• indian ocean

The movie spans several time periods, beginning in 5000 BC when the Eternals first arrive on Earth. A significant conflict occurs in 1521 that fractures the team, before shifting to modern-day where the main events unfold and the Emergence威胁 becomes imminent.

• 5000 bc
• 1521
• modern day
• time period
• ancient history

Eternals explores three core themes: Sacrifice, as shown through Gilgamesh's selflessness to save Thena; Cosmic Legacy, examining the Eternals' connection to Celestials and their purpose protecting humanity; and Unity, demonstrating how the Eternals must overcome past divisions to face the Emergence together.

• sacrifice
• cosmic legacy
• unity
• themes
• celestials

Thena, played by Angelina Jolie, is a fierce warrior with unmatched combat abilities. She struggles with the Mahd Wy'Ry, a condition that causes painful flashbacks and identity confusion. Despite her mental health challenges, she remains loyal and courageous, particularly protecting her bond with Gilgamesh.

• thena
• angelina jolie
• warrior
• mahd wyry
• gilgamesh

Sersi, portrayed by Gemma Chan, is an empathetic Eternal deeply connected to humanity with powers of creation and transformation. She evolves from a passive observer into a decisive leader who takes responsibility for protecting Earth and humanity, embodying the theme of sacrifice throughout her journey.

• sersi
• gemma chan
• empathy
• leadership
• creation powers

Ikaris, played by Richard Madden, is the stoic leader of the Eternals with formidable powers. He faces intense internal conflict between his loyalty to Arishem's cosmic plan and his love for Sersi. This struggle ultimately defines his arc and leads to his tragic fate.

• ikaris
• richard madden
• leader
• arishem
• stoic

Druig possesses mind-manipulation powers allowing him to control thoughts and emotions. He is disillusioned with humanity's violence and often clashes with the Eternals over their passive observation mandate. His desire to intervene directly creates significant tension within the group.

• druig
• barry keoghan
• mind control
• telepathy
• conflict

Kingo, portrayed by Kumail Nanjiani, is a charismatic Eternal who became a famous Bollywood star in modern times. He balances his love for fame and human experience with his duty to the Eternals, providing comic relief while still taking the threat of the Deviants seriously.

• kingo
• kumail nanjiani
• bollywood
• celebrity
• comic relief

The Deviants are ancient adversaries of the Eternals, created alongside them by the Celestial Arishem. They were meant to hunt deviants but evolved to threaten humanity itself. The Eternals must stop the Deviants while uncovering their own mysterious origins and true purpose on Earth.

• deviants
• arishem
• celestial
• antagonists
• ancient enemies

The Emergence is a catastrophic event orchestrated by the Celestial Arishem, in which another Celestial would be born by destroying Earth. The Eternals must stop this process, choosing to protect humanity over their creator's design, leading to a massive cosmic confrontation in the Indian Ocean.

• emergence
• celestial birth
• arishem
• earth destruction
• cosmic threat

The Eternals were sent by the Celestial Arishem to protect humanity from the Deviants and guide their development, while actually farming humans for the emergence of a new Celestial. Their journey involves discovering this dark truth and deciding whether to continue following Arishem or protect humanity.

• arishem
• purpose
• protect humanity
• celestial mission
• origins

Eternals has a bittersweet tone with heavy emotional weight. While Earth is saved from the Emergence, the victory comes at a cost: Ikaris's suicide, Sprite becoming mortal, and the team fracturing under Arishem's ominous judgment. The film balances epic cosmic stakes with personal loss and psychological themes like Thena's condition and Sprite's eternal youth.

• bittersweet
• emotional
• heavy
• sacrifice
• ending