Eternals
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), an unexpected tragedy forces the Eternals, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years, out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
Despite a enormous budget of $200.0M, Eternals became a financial success, earning $402.1M worldwide—a 101% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace compelling narrative even at blockbuster scale.
7 wins & 18 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Eternals (2021) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Chloé Zhao's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ancient Mesopotamia, 5000 BC: The Eternals arrive on Earth aboard the Domo, their celestial ship, appearing as god-like beings to early humans. They are introduced as immortal heroes sent to protect humanity from the monstrous Deviants.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Present day London: Sersi and Sprite are attacked by a Deviant—something impossible since they were all destroyed centuries ago. Ikaris arrives to help fight it off, but the creature escapes. The old threat has mysteriously returned.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 78 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Deviants attack Druig's compound. During the battle, the evolved Deviant Kro kills Gilgamesh, devastating Thena. This is a false defeat—their first major loss reveals they are vulnerable, and the Deviants are evolving beyond their original design, absorbing Eternal powers., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 118 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ikaris' betrayal is fully revealed. He nearly kills the team to ensure the Emergence happens. The family is shattered, Kingo walks away refusing to fight family, and the Emergence has begun—they can see Tiamut's fingers breaking through the Indian Ocean. All seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 125 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Eternals form the Uni-Mind as Tiamut emerges. Sersi transforms the emerging Celestial into marble, stopping the Emergence and saving Earth. Ikaris cannot bring himself to kill Sersi and flies into the sun. Sprite chooses to become human. Kro is defeated. The team must face judgment from Arishem, who takes Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo to determine humanity's worth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Eternals's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Eternals against these established plot points, we can identify how Chloé Zhao utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Eternals within the action genre.
Chloé Zhao's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Chloé Zhao films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Eternals represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Chloé Zhao filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Chloé Zhao analyses, see Nomadland.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ancient Mesopotamia, 5000 BC: The Eternals arrive on Earth aboard the Domo, their celestial ship, appearing as god-like beings to early humans. They are introduced as immortal heroes sent to protect humanity from the monstrous Deviants.
Theme
Ajak tells the Eternals: "You are free to live as you choose, but remember, you can never interfere in human conflict." This establishes the central thematic tension between duty/purpose versus free will and emotional connection.
Worldbuilding
The Eternals defeat Deviants throughout history, protecting humanity while remaining hidden. We see their relationships develop, particularly Sersi and Ikaris' love story. Time jumps show them scattered across the globe in present day, living separate lives after the Deviants were supposedly eliminated 500 years ago.
Disruption
Present day London: Sersi and Sprite are attacked by a Deviant—something impossible since they were all destroyed centuries ago. Ikaris arrives to help fight it off, but the creature escapes. The old threat has mysteriously returned.
Resistance
Sersi, Sprite, and Ikaris travel to South Dakota to find Ajak, their leader, for guidance. They discover Ajak has been killed by a Deviant. Her powers transfer to Sersi, revealing Sersi is now the Prime Eternal. Sersi experiences Ajak's memories and learns the horrifying truth about their true mission.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The Eternals reunite one by one—Kingo in Bollywood, Thena and Gilgamesh in Australia, Phastos with his family. Each has built a life, formed connections, and must grapple with their true purpose. They debate whether to stop the Emergence and save Earth or allow the Celestial birth as designed.
Midpoint
The Deviants attack Druig's compound. During the battle, the evolved Deviant Kro kills Gilgamesh, devastating Thena. This is a false defeat—their first major loss reveals they are vulnerable, and the Deviants are evolving beyond their original design, absorbing Eternal powers.
Opposition
The team fractures as Ikaris reveals he has known the truth all along and killed Ajak to prevent her from stopping the Emergence. He believes in Arishem's design absolutely. Sprite sides with Ikaris out of unrequited love. The family splits between those who would save humanity and those loyal to their Celestial purpose.
Collapse
Ikaris' betrayal is fully revealed. He nearly kills the team to ensure the Emergence happens. The family is shattered, Kingo walks away refusing to fight family, and the Emergence has begun—they can see Tiamut's fingers breaking through the Indian Ocean. All seems lost.
Crisis
Sersi faces the dark night: she must become the leader Ajak saw in her, unite the remaining Eternals, and find a way to stop a Celestial god while her greatest love opposes her. She draws strength from her love for humanity and her found family.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Eternals form the Uni-Mind as Tiamut emerges. Sersi transforms the emerging Celestial into marble, stopping the Emergence and saving Earth. Ikaris cannot bring himself to kill Sersi and flies into the sun. Sprite chooses to become human. Kro is defeated. The team must face judgment from Arishem, who takes Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo to determine humanity's worth.