First Reactions to “Eternals” Say Chloé Zhao’s Epic is an MCU Game-Changer

Eternals is the 26th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and yet the early reactions are that thanks to Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, it feels entirely different from that films that have come before. Zhao’s star-studded epic had its premiere last night at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles, which is why the internet will be flooded with initial reactions. The official review embargo for Eternals doesn’t lift until 2 p.m. EST on October 24, but the social media embargo for first reactions lifted last night. So, we’ve compiled some of those reactions for you.

Eternals promises to expand the MCU to cosmic proportions. The film is centered on the titular group of immortal superbeings who have been embedded on Earth throughout the millennia, patiently waiting to defend humanity from their demented siblings (of sorts), the Deviants. Zhao led a terrific ensemble that includes Gemma Chan, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Lia McHugh, Don Lee, Barry Keoghan, Lauren Ridloff, Kit Harrington, and Harish Patel. The film is set in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame yet will introduce us to characters who have been around longer than even Thor. We are meeting all of these characters for the first time in an MCU film, which would be a heavy lift for any director.

Eternals will make its European premiere on the closing night of the Rome Film Festival on October 24, then open wide here in the United States on November 45 where it plays exclusively in theaters for 45 days until moving to Disney+.

Let’s take a peek at some of those early reactions.

For more stories on Eternals, check these out:

“Eternals” Featurette Boasts Stunning New Footage & Promises MCU-Changing Epic

New “Eternals” Footage Reveals Epic Battle Between Immortal Beings

New “Eternals” Images Reveal the Deviants

New “Eternals” Footage Hypes “Greatest Warriors the World Has Ever Known”

New “Eternals” Images Tease Marvel’s Most Expansive Film Ever

Featured image: (L-R): Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Gilgamesh (Don Lee), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Ajak (Salma Hayek), Sersi (Gemma Chan), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and Druig (Barry Keoghan) in Marvel Studios’ ETERNALS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

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The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.