Movie review
November 3, 2021 · 156 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The 2021 Marvel film Eternals follows a team of immortal aliens created by cosmic beings called Celestials. They have lived secretly on Earth for thousands of years, protecting humans from monster-like Deviants while staying out of human wars. In the present day, the team reunites to face a returning threat and learns their true purpose involves a larger cosmic plan that endangers the planet. The movie stands out for its highly visible diverse cast, including gender and race changes from the original comics, a prominent gay couple with a family, and a deaf superhero, all heavily highlighted in marketing and interviews as groundbreaking representation.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Eternals.
Woke representation / casting
Highly audience-visible diversity push with multiple gender and race swaps from source comics, a central gay family subplot shown with affection and normalcy, and a deaf superhero; marketed heavily as inclusive milestone.
Woke political dialogue
Very little explicit modern politics or lectures; story stays focused on cosmic duty, free will, and ancient rules with only brief historical nods.
Identity-driven story themes
Phastos' gay family life and positive integration with humanity receive noticeable screen time and emotional weight; overall ensemble shows diverse team living among humans, but core narrative remains sci-fi adventure about creation and choice rather than identity politics.
Western institutional / cultural critique
One historical scene labels the Spanish conquest "genocide" in passing during action, tied to the Eternals' non-interference rule; no modern activist framing of capitalism, patriarchy, systemic racism, or Western institutions as flawed.
Woke character or canon changes
Clear public changes for representation: female Ajak, deaf woman of color Makkari, and emphasized gay family man Phastos; these were discussed in interviews and marketing as intentional updates.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Strong and documented pre-release review bombing tied directly to LGBTQ+ content and diversity casting; bans in multiple countries over gay scenes; repeated online accusations of woke pandering and identity-driven canon alterations.
Creator track record context
MCU producers Kevin Feige and Nate Moore plus casting director Sarah Halley Finn have consistent records of advancing racial and gender diversity; director Chloé Zhao and co-writers show low personal activist involvement focused on humanist stories instead.
Production
