Marvel’s Eternals delivers a massive cliffhanger that leaves many characters’ fates uncertain and teases future plotlines for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals is the third movie in Phase 4 and arguably the most ambitious. It introduces the Eternals, 10 superhuman beings created by the Celestials. Central to the story are Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden), whose roles carry the narrative forward. The film begins by showing the Eternals’ arrival on Earth more than 7,000 years ago, with the story building toward an intense cliffhanger ending.
Eternals Ending Explained
The plot focuses on the Eternals’ return in the present day after learning that the Deviants—beasts created by the Celestials—are still alive on Earth. This revelation coincides with the impending apocalyptic event known as The Emergence. The film’s conclusion uncovers that The Emergence is part of the Celestials’ larger plan. For millennia, a new Celestial has been growing inside Earth, waiting for the planet’s population to grow large enough to fuel its birth. This surprising twist comes as a surprise to most of the Eternals, as Ajak (Salma Hayek) had kept their true mission secret, except from Ikaris. Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite (Lia McHugh) travel across the world to bring the group together for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, leading to the revelation of their true purpose and Ikaris’ stunning betrayal.
This revelation sets the stage for a massive conclusion in Eternals. The Eternals are divided as Sersi pleads with the team to help prevent The Emergence and save humanity. However, Ikaris is ready to let Earth be destroyed so that the Celestials can create new planets and civilizations. Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) remains neutral, while Gilgamesh (Don Lee) is already dead. This leaves Sersi, Thena (Angelina Jolie), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), Druig (Barry Keoghan), and Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) to stop The Emergence and deal with Ikaris and Sprite. Ultimately, the team succeeds in saving humanity, but the aftermath leaves several major cliffhangers and hints at future developments in the MCU.
Ikaris: Is He Dead?
The cliffhanger ending raises the question: Is Ikaris truly dead? After realizing he can’t kill Sersi to stop her from preventing Tiamut’s emergence, Ikaris flies into space, heading directly toward the sun. The movie cuts before showing his death, leaving his fate ambiguous. The other Eternals believe Ikaris is dead, as Kingo remarks on the tragic outcome, but they cannot know for sure. The Eternals couldn’t sense Ajak’s death, so it’s unlikely they would be able to sense Ikaris’ fate either. However, since Sersi is now the Prime Eternal, she may have a stronger connection to the others, allowing her to sense Ikaris’ death.
Ikaris’ flight toward the sun is a clear reference to the Greek myth of Icarus, a story invented by Sprite in the movie. While this mythological connection makes sense, Marvel deliberately leaves Ikaris’ fate unclear, allowing room for future storytelling. It’s possible Ikaris died, or he could have survived somehow—perhaps through his powers, or even due to Arishem’s interference. For now, it’s reasonable to assume that Ikaris is dead, but Marvel could bring him back in future films.
The Divided Team: Where Do the Eternals Stand?
After the Eternals defy Arishem and save humanity, the group is divided by the end of the film. Makkari, Druig, and Thena leave Earth on the Domo spaceship, determined to search the galaxy for other Eternals and reveal the truth about the Celestials’ plan. The post-credits scene shows their efforts taking weeks before they encounter any new Eternals.
The remaining members of the group stay on Earth. Sersi returns to London, Kingo agrees to raise Sprite, and Phastos moves to Ajak’s ranch with his family. However, this peaceful moment is disrupted when Arishem appears, taking Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo with him. Sprite is left behind, no longer an Eternal, to grow up on her own with Kingo’s people. Gilgamesh and Ajak remain dead, and Ikaris’ fate remains uncertain.
Arishem’s Judgment and the Eternals’ Fate
When Arishem arrives at the film’s finale, he informs Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo that he’s taking them with him to examine their memories. Arishem is angry that they defied his orders by preventing Tiamut’s emergence and wants to assess whether their actions were justified. The World Forge, where Arishem created the Eternals and new planets, is likely where they are headed. Arishem intends to study the Eternals’ memories to decide if humanity’s survival was the right choice. If he disagrees with their decision, he threatens to return to Earth and judge the planet accordingly.
The Ebony Blade and Black Knight: Setting Up Future Stories
In Eternals’ post-credits scene, the future of Dane Whitman (Kit Harington) in the MCU is teased. Although he had a minor role in the movie, the post-credits scene shows Dane acquiring the Ebony Blade after Sersi mysteriously vanishes. Dane’s family history has been alluded to, and now, he’s planning to use the power of the Ebony Blade to potentially rescue Sersi. However, just as he’s about to wield the sword, a voice interrupts him—none other than Blade (Mahershala Ali), who asks if Dane is ready to take on the mantle of Black Knight.
The Ebony Blade is a powerful and dangerous artifact that grants its wielder extraordinary abilities, such as cutting through almost anything, deflecting magical attacks, and teleportation. However, it also carries a curse: those who wield the blade may become corrupted and turn into cold-blooded murderers. This sets the stage for Dane Whitman’s transformation into the Black Knight, though how he will deal with the blade’s power remains to be seen. It’s unclear when or where Dane will appear again, but the Blade connection suggests a future collaboration with the character in upcoming MCU projects, such as Blade or Eternals 2.
The Ebony Blade: A Powerful Artifact with a Dark History
The Ebony Blade, wielded by Dane Whitman, is a mysterious and powerful weapon with deep ties to the Black Knight character. Forged by Merlin and Sir Percival from the Starstone meteorite, the blade is enchanted to cut through any material and even deflect magical attacks. Its wielder has a unique bond with the sword, but the blade’s power comes at a cost. If used maliciously, it corrupts its users, turning them into a bloodthirsty killer. As Dane Whitman begins his journey with the Ebony Blade, it’s unclear how he will navigate the weapon’s dark history.
