The Romantic Heart of the Eternals: Who Shares a Kiss?
Marvel's 2021 epic, Eternals, introduced audiences to a group of ancient, immortal beings tasked with protecting humanity. While the film is packed with action, cosmic lore, and philosophical debates, it also explores the complex and often centuries-long relationships between its protagonists. For many viewers, a key point of curiosity is the romantic entanglements, and specifically, who among these powerful beings shares a kiss. The answer is not as straightforward as a single, definitive moment, but rather a tapestry of deep affection, unrequited love, and surprising connections.
The Central Romance: Sersi and Ikaris
The most prominent romantic relationship in Eternals is undoubtedly between Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden). Their love story spans millennia, a testament to the Eternals' immortality. We witness their deep affection throughout the film, often with lingering glances and shared histories that speak volumes about their bond. While their connection is a foundational element of the narrative, the film is careful to depict their romance with a sense of enduring, almost melancholic, love.
Their relationship is the emotional anchor of the film, showcasing a love that has weathered countless ages.
The film does feature moments of intimacy between Sersi and Ikaris, hinting at their profound connection. While a grand, passionate kiss might not be the central focus, the quiet intimacy and shared understanding between them underscore their deep romantic feelings. Their journey is marked by the weight of their shared past and the uncertainty of their future, making their affection all the more poignant.
A Love Lost and Found: The Phastos and Ben Connection
Another significant romantic development occurs with Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), the brilliant inventor of the Eternals. Phastos is portrayed as being happily married to a human named Ben (Haaz Sleiman). Their relationship is a beautiful representation of love and domesticity, existing quietly and joyfully within the backdrop of the Eternals' cosmic mission. The film showcases their genuine affection and Phastos's deep care for Ben, demonstrating that even immortal beings can find profound happiness in human relationships.
Phastos and Ben share tender moments and display a palpable love for each other. While the film doesn't dwell on explicit displays of affection, the warmth and sincerity of their interactions leave no doubt about their romantic bond. Their presence highlights the theme of finding love and connection in unexpected places, even for beings who have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.
Unrequited Affection and Lingering Feelings: Kingo and the Unseen
While not a kiss, the character of Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), the Bollywood superstar, hints at past romantic interests and a longing for connection. His character, living a flamboyant human life, often deflects personal questions, but there are subtle nods to a life lived beyond his public persona. The film focuses more on his comedic relief and his internal struggle with his duty, but the possibility of past romantic relationships, even if not explicitly shown with a kiss, is implied through his vast human experience.
The Broader Romantic Landscape of the Eternals
The Eternals, as a group, have had millennia to form bonds, and the film touches upon various forms of love and connection:
- Sersi and Ikaris: The primary romantic couple, their love is ancient and complex.
- Phastos and Ben: A modern, loving, and committed human-Eternal relationship.
- Druig and Makkari: While not explicitly kissed in the film, their dynamic is charged with unspoken tension and deep care, suggesting a strong potential for romantic feelings developing between them. Their connection is evident in their shared glances and the way they look out for each other, hinting at a bond that transcends friendship.
The film deliberately explores different facets of love – enduring, newfound, and even unspoken – making the romantic landscape of the Eternals as diverse as their powers.
A Note on Depiction
It's worth noting that Eternals, while featuring romantic elements, prioritizes the overarching narrative of preventing the Emergence. The kisses and intimate moments are woven into the story to deepen character development and explore the emotional weight of immortality and duty, rather than serving as the primary focus.
Frequently Asked Questions about Romance in Eternals
How does Sersi's relationship with Ikaris differ from her relationship with Dane?
Sersi's relationship with Ikaris is ancient, spanning millennia, filled with shared history and a deep, enduring love. In contrast, her relationship with Dane Whitman (Harry Styles) is presented as a more recent, human connection. While she cares for Dane, the millennia-long bond with Ikaris carries a different weight and complexity, marked by their shared immortal existence and the fundamental differences in their nature.
Why does Phastos have a human husband?
Phastos's marriage to Ben highlights the Eternals' capacity for deep connection and love with humans. It demonstrates that even beings with immense power and an immortal lifespan can find profound happiness and fulfillment in human relationships, choosing to build a life and family amidst their cosmic responsibilities. It also serves to ground the Eternals in the human world they are sworn to protect.
Are there any other romantic pairings hinted at in Eternals?
Yes, while not explicitly kissed, the connection between Druig (Barry Keoghan) and Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) is strongly implied. Their interactions, particularly Makkari's understanding of Druig's more rebellious nature and Druig's protective instincts towards her, suggest a burgeoning romantic chemistry and a deep mutual affection that could easily develop into a romantic relationship.
