This post contains spoilers for Eternals.Chloé Zhao's Eternals has introduced a new group of heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The unique band of 10 is the core of the Marvel production but the true story lies within the relationships each of these Celestials has formed with one another.
The relationship between Ikaris and Sersi is at the forefront of Eternals, but there are plenty of other bonds amongst the group that some have found more impactful. The weight of Sersi and Ikaris' relationship is thoroughly explored throughout Eternals, but is their partnership an example of the strongest bond amongst the Celestials? If not, which pair derived from the 10 Celestials share the strongest bond?
Sprite and Kingo
Of all the Eternals, Sprite has some of the most unique relationships with her fellow Celestials. Sprite has spent stints living and visiting with many of them, including Kingo, Ajak, and Sersi. Sprite carries herself in a very serious and stoic manner while Kingo is more of a jokester. Kingo does show serious, temperamental sides of personality in conversations with Sprite. The best example of this is Kingo's attempt to discuss Sprite's feelings toward Ikaris, which she struggles to admit aloud.
Sprite also teases Kingo relentlessly throughout Eternals, being the first to question his extensive movie catalog. Sprite is also the one that Kingo often turns to when it comes to protecting Karun in the midst of a dangerous situation. Of course, Sprite often responds in a less than enthusiastic manner and even resorts to breaking Karun's camera. While their relationship doesn't get a ton of screentime, it does help humanize these characters and proves that Sprite's age doesn't affect the way her fellow Eternals view her.
Makkari and Druig
Makkari and Druig are a pair that has gained a lot of attention since the release of Eternals. Many have found the relationship between the two endearing, and some found themselves enjoying their dynamic more than the focal couple, Sersi and Ikaris. Makkari and Druig's impact stems from their small moments of teasing and stealing quick glances at one another. Considering Druig's mental capabilities, he can likely hear Makkari's thoughts. This gives the small gestures between the two more meaning in establishing the bond that they share. Near the end of the film, Ikaris leads everyone to believe that Druig is gone, prompting Makkari to release a chilling scream in anguish. These subtle instances suggest a deeper connection between the two that the other Eternals lack.
Phastos and Ajak
Of all the bonds between the Eternals, the one between Ajak and Phastos has the least amount of screentime, but it is just as prevalent. As the Prime Eternal, Ajak has a unique relationship with all of the Celestials she guides. Like Ajak, Phastos is a leader in his own right, by inventing new technological advancements or improving battle plans by using some of his fresh ideas. As valuable as Phastos' skill is for the Eternals, when it comes to humans, Ajak must stop Phastos from creating things that are too advanced. In one scene, Phastos invents an engine that would allow people to work much faster. Due to Ajak's disapproval, he simplifies his design to a plow. Following Phastos' painful Hiroshima scene, it is Ajak that comes to him in an attempt to console him. While this is partly her job as the Prime Eternal, it also serves as a testament to her relationship and valuing of Phastos.
Sersi and Ikaris
Eternals focuses mainly on Sersi and Ikaris, so it is easy to think that their relationship is the most significant. The entire film is essentially a love story between Sersi and Ikaris, as Eternals shows the evolution of their love over countless centuries. The link between the two is very complex and it grows increasingly difficult once the two end up on opposite sides of the same battle. At the start of Eternals, it is already evident that Sersi has moved on from Ikaris and is in a relationship with Dane Whitman. Ikaris triumphantly returns to assist Sersi and Sprite with a Deviant, creating an awkward situation for Sersi.
The relationship between these two is ultimately the reason that Sersi is able to successfully stop the Emergence in the end. Ikaris reveals that he'll stop at nothing to abide by the wishes of Arishem, even if it means killing all of the Eternals. Despite this vow, when it comes time for Ikaris to harm Sersi, he finds himself unable to do it. For Ikaris, this is monumental, because he always prides himself in following orders. His feelings for Sersi have rendered this mission impossible to complete.
Thena and Gilgamesh
Thena and Gilgamesh have a bond that differs from all of the Eternals. The Eternals become aware that Thena is suffering from Mahd Wy'ry, a condition that is said to be a result of an overaccumulation of memories. This explanation of Mahd Wy'ry ends up being another mistruth shared with the characters in Eternals, but it doesn't make Thena's condition any less lethal. When the Mahd Wy'ry begins to come into effect, Thena lashes out at her fellow Eternals to the point where she becomes deadset on killing them. In an attempt to correct it, Ajak says that they must erase all of Thena's memories. To prevent that from happening, Gilgamesh offers to look after her.
Gilgamesh is one of the few Eternals that maintain faith in Thena despite the Mahd Wy'ry. He always reassured Thena that she was a fierce woman and warrior and that Thena just needed to remind herself of that. They are the only pair of all the Eternals that stay together through the entirety of the original disbandment of the group. Gilgamesh's desire to protect Thena from her own mind costs him greatly in the end, but Gilgamesh reassures her that he would have done it all again.
What makes Thena and Gilgamesh have the strongest relationship of all the Eternals is partly due to the blinding faith they have in one another. After Gilgamesh's death at the hands of Kro, Kro attempts to use Gilgamesh to lure Thena in long enough to kill her. Thena goes along with Kro's plan, but she manages to overcome the Mahd Wy'ry so that she can kill Kro and avenge Gilgamesh (and by default, Ajak). Without the bond Thena formed with Gilgamesh and the faith he had in her, Thena probably wouldn't have been able to withstand her Mahd Wy'ry and never would have stood a chance against Kro.
Most often, the most pivotal relationships are always portrayed to be romantic. Eternals proves that people can have deep, platonic relationships that can be just as impactful, if not more. Eternals offers both platonic and romantic relationships between the Celestials and even between themselves and the human race. Phastos and his husband Ben, Sersi and Dane, Kingo and Kuron, and even Druig and the people he tries to protect, are all examples of how the Eternals can form meaningful attachments.
Eternals is now in theaters.