The final trailer for “Eternals,” Chloé Zhao’s much-anticipated foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has arrived — and promises plenty of action, humor, and existential crises. “This is what the end of the world looks like,” one character declares. “At least we have front row seats.”
The Eternals — who count Ajak (Salma Hayek), Thena (Angelina Jolie), and Sersi (Gemma Chan) among their crew — are mythical beings that came to earth 7,000 years ago to protect humans from the monstrous Deviants. Thanks to the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” the Deviants are on the verge of coming back and destroying humanity. “The sudden return of the population provided the necessary energy for the emergence to begin,” Ajak explains. Now the Eternals have just seven days to stop the Deviants and save the world.
The spot also sees the Eternals wrestling with the morality of the code they live by. “Why didn’t you guys help fight Thanos? Or any war or all the other terrible things throughout history?” Sersi is asked. Even she realizes how flimsy her “We were instructed not to interfere in any human conflicts unless Deviants were involved” response is.
“Eternals” marks Zhao’s first film since her Oscar win and history-making awards season. In April, the “Nomadland” filmmaker became the second woman, and first woman of color, to win the Best Director Oscar. “Nomadland,” the tale of a modern-day nomad traveling through the American West in the wake of the Great Recession, has picked up a slew of other awards, including, most recently, the FIPRESCI Grand Prix.
Zhao’s packed slate includes serving on Venice Film Festival’s main jury next month and directing “Dracula” for Universal. She previously helmed “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” and “The Rider.”
“Eternals” opens in theaters November 5.