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Eternals

Eternals

Representation Score

9.8/10

Excellent

2021

PG-13

Director

Chloé Zhao

Runtime

156 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Eternals stands out by shifting from a Western-centric hero's journey to a global, multi-era perspective. The film integrates queer identity naturally and avoids traditional gender hierarchies. It features a diverse, multi-ethnic cast that avoids including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth, creating a rich tapestry of historical and cultural backgrounds. The narrative structure challenges the idea of divine mandate, emphasizing individual moral decision-making. While the film excels in ethnic and LGBTQ representation, it falls short in exploring disability as a distinct lived experience, often tying sensory variations to themes of immortality.

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Category Breakdown

Does Eternals have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

Phastos is portrayed with depth, showing a normalized marriage to Egois. His queer identity is a core part of his character rather than a superficial plot device, and his technical skills play a key role in the story.

How does Eternals portray gender?

Excellent

The film highlights diverse female characters like Sersi and Ajak, who hold positions of intellectual and physical authority. These women avoid submissive stereotypes and are central to the group's philosophy.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Eternals?

Excellent

The cast features a wide range of ethnicities, avoiding the homogeneity often found in genre films. This diverse representation creates a tapestry reflecting various historical periods and cultures.

How does Eternals represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative questions absolute authority by depicting Celestial mandates as potentially oppressive. It emphasizes individual moral decision-making over rigid religious hierarchies.

Does Eternals include disability representation?

Good

Neurodivergence and sensory variations are shown through characters like Sprite, but these traits are often linked to immortality rather than explored as distinct lived experiences of disability.

Present on Screen

  • Integrates queer identity deeply through Phastos and his marriage.
  • Features a diverse, multi-ethnic cast that avoids including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth.
  • Highlights strong female leadership that challenges traditional gender roles.
  • Prioritizes individual moral decision-making over rigid religious structures.

Limited or Absent

  • Disability representation is often tied to immortality rather than explored as a distinct lived experience.
  • Lacks specialized exploration of neurodivergence or sensory variation as standalone identities.

Official Synopsis

The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

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