Eternals
Eternals is a science fiction superhero film from Marvel Studios, introducing a new team of immortal beings tasked with protecting humanity from monstrous creatures known as Deviants. Spanning thousands of years, the narrative explores the Eternals' hidden existence on Earth and their eventual emergence to confront a resurfacing threat. The film delves into themes of identity, purpose, and family, with a diverse ensemble cast bringing these ancient heroes to life. It combines action sequences with philosophical undertones, aiming to broaden the scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by exploring deeper mythological origins. The movie is suitable for mature audiences due to its complex themes and various content elements.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe film features the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first openly gay superhero, Phastos, who is married to a mortal man named Ben and has a son, Jack. Their relationship is depicted as a normalized and integral part of Phastos's character arc, including a brief on-screen kiss. This representation has been noted for normalizing a queer family in a blockbuster context and was a point of discussion and censorship internationally.
Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) is shown sharing a kiss with his husband, Ben (Haaz Sleiman), in a tender family moment when they reunite. The couple is also depicted raising their son, Jack, and Phastos's love for his family motivates his actions in the film's climax.
Violence
HighEternals contains frequent and intense fantasy violence, characteristic of the superhero genre. Battles between the Eternals and the monstrous Deviants involve various superpowers, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons. There are depictions of monster gore and the aftermath of historical atrocities, contributing to a high level of intensity.
The Deviants are portrayed as nasty, creepy creatures, and battles against them include scenes of 'blood and guts spewing out'. The film also depicts mass destruction from historical events, such as the ruins of Hiroshima after the atomic bomb.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe movie includes romantic relationships among the Eternals, with one scene depicting a sexual encounter between two characters. While not overtly graphic, it involves partial nudity and implied sexual activity, which is a notable inclusion for an MCU film. Other romantic elements include kissing and unrequited crushes.
Sersi and Ikaris are shown having sex on a beach, with bare torsos and implied nudity, though private body parts are not explicitly shown. Additionally, Sprite expresses her long-standing unrequited love for Ikaris, highlighting her struggle with her eternal childlike appearance.
Profanity
MediumProfanity in Eternals is present but generally mild and sporadic. Common curse words are used, along with one instance of a rude hand gesture. The language content is on par with other PG-13 superhero films but may be a concern for some parents.
Words like 'shit', 'hell', 'damn', and 'ass' are used occasionally throughout the film. In one scene, Sprite uses a rude hand gesture (giving the middle finger) towards Kingo.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film features several scary and intense moments, primarily revolving around the appearance and actions of the Deviants. These creatures are depicted as visually disturbing, and the confrontations with them can be frightening. The narrative also includes high-stakes, life-threatening situations for the characters and humanity.
The Deviants are consistently described as 'nasty looking creatures' and 'creepy,' and their attacks create intense, suspenseful scenes. The dramatic emergence of a Celestial from Earth's core is a visually overwhelming and potentially frightening global event, putting all of humanity in peril.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumElements of disrespect and rebellion are present in the film. One character demonstrates mild defiance through a rude gesture, and a central plot point involves the Eternals actively rebelling against their creators, the Celestials, and their cosmic directive concerning Earth. This rebellion challenges established authority figures within the film's mythology.
Sprite, frustrated by her perpetual childlike form, exhibits disrespect by giving Kingo the 'rude finger' during an argument. The main storyline culminates in the Eternals defying their creator, Arishem, by attempting to prevent the 'Emergence' and save Earth, directly rebelling against their preordained purpose.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumEternals presents a fictional cosmic mythology wherein alien beings (Celestials) create life and the Eternals to oversee planetary development. This narrative framework offers an alternative creation story and divine hierarchy that operates outside of, and implicitly replaces, traditional Christian theological concepts regarding God as the sole Creator. While not explicitly mocking Christianity, its foundational premise conflicts with Christian doctrine.
The film establishes that the Celestials created Earth and seeded life, and then deployed the Eternals to protect humans from Deviants, fundamentally presenting an origin story for humanity distinct from biblical accounts. The Eternals are also mistaken for gods by ancient civilizations, further intertwining their presence with human religious development, though not specifically Christian.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe film's mythology centers on cosmic beings (Celestials, Eternals, Deviants) with advanced powers and ancient origins, rather than traditional witchcraft or occult practices. The powers displayed are presented as cosmic energy manipulation and technological aptitude, distinct from magic spells, rituals, or demonic summoning. There are no explicit references to dark magic or occultism.
The Eternals utilize 'cosmic energy manipulation' to project various energies from their eyes and hands, such as concussive force, heat, and light, which are inherent to their alien nature. The film's overarching plot involves the creation and judgment of planets by god-like Celestials, which is a sci-fi/mythological concept rather than occult.
Substance Use
LowInstances of substance use in Eternals are minimal and casual, limited to adult characters engaging in social drinking. There is no depiction of illegal drug use, substance abuse, or excessive alcohol consumption. The presence of alcohol serves only as background detail to human social settings.
Adult characters are seen drinking alcohol socially in brief scenes, such as when the Eternals reunite at Kingo's Bollywood compound. There are no instances of intoxication or problematic substance use depicted in the film.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Eternals is recommended for ages 13 and up due to its PG-13 rating. This recommendation is based on the presence of fantasy violence and action, some language, brief sexuality, and mature themes. Younger viewers may find the intense monster violence, implied sexual content, and complex narrative challenging or frightening. Parental guidance is strongly advised for teenagers aged 13-15.
Additional Notes
The film's inclusion of an openly gay superhero and an on-screen same-sex kiss led to it being banned or edited in several international markets, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. There is no extended or director's cut of 'Eternals' beyond the theatrical release, though deleted scenes are available as bonus content.
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