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1/10/2026 // SUBJECT: Eternals (2021) Plot Inciting Incidents Processing: 1m 22.5s
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#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION

Regarding the film Eternals (2021), what actions start the plot in motion?

#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE

In the film Eternals (2021), the plot is set in motion by a series of escalating events in the "present day" (shortly after the events of Avengers: Endgame). While the film spans 7,000 years, the following specific actions trigger the main narrative:

1. The "Emergence" Begins (The Macro-Catalyst)

The return of half of Earth’s population following "The Blip" (from Avengers: Endgame) provided the final surge of life energy required for the Emergence—the birth of a new Celestial named Tiamut, who has been gestating inside Earth's core. This process begins causing massive, unexplained earthquakes around the globe, which serves as the silent countdown for the film’s plot.

2. The Deviant Attack in London

The immediate "inciting incident" occurs when Sersi and Sprite, who are living in modern-day London, are suddenly attacked by a Deviant named Kro. This is a shock to them because the Eternals believed they had hunted the Deviants to extinction in 1521.

3. The Discovery of Ajak’s Death

Fearing a global Deviant resurgence, Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite travel to a ranch in South Dakota to consult their leader, Ajak. Upon arrival, they find her dead on her porch, apparently killed by Deviants.

4. Direct Communication with Arishem

As the new leader, Sersi is able to enter a trance-like state to communicate with the Celestial Arishem. During this first contact, the "true" plot is revealed:

5. Ikaris’s Secret Betrayal (The Hidden Trigger)

While the audience learns this later through flashbacks, the plot was actually set in motion six days before the London attack. Ikaris, who remained loyal to Arishem’s original plan, realized Ajak wanted to stop the Emergence. To prevent her from interfering, he led her to a frozen wasteland in Alaska and fed her to a group of trapped Deviants, which allowed the Deviants to absorb her healing powers and evolve, leading to the attack in London.

#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)

[1] The film explicitly states that the return of the population in *Avengers: Endgame* provided the necessary energy for the Emergence.
[2] Global earthquakes are the primary early warning sign of the Emergence in the film.
[3] The London attack involves Sersi, Sprite, and Dane Whitman being attacked by the Deviant Kro. While Dane Whitman is omitted from the summary, the core claim about Sersi, Sprite, and Kro is accurate.
[4] The Eternals believed the last Deviants were killed in 1521 during the fall of Tenochtitlan.
[5] The Deviant (Kro) heals from wounds inflicted by Sprite and Ikaris, which surprises the Eternals.
[6] Ikaris arrives to save them, using his cosmic energy beams to drive the Deviant away.
[7] They travel to Ajak's ranch in South Dakota and find her dead outside. The summary correctly notes she was 'apparently' killed by Deviants, which is the initial assumption.
[8] A small golden sphere (communication device) emerges from Ajak's chest and enters Sersi, designating her as the new Prime Eternal.
[9] Sersi uses the sphere to communicate with Arishem.
[10] Arishem reveals the true purpose of the Eternals: to cultivate the population for the Emergence.
[11] The revelation that Earth will be destroyed shifts the conflict to a moral one.
[12] The twist reveals Ikaris betrayed Ajak 6 days prior because she wanted to stop the Emergence.
[13] Ikaris pushed Ajak off a cliff in Alaska to be killed by Deviants. The Deviants absorbed her healing power, which allowed them to evolve.

#O MISSED POINTS & OVERSIGHTS

Low
Dane Whitman's Presence

The summary omits that Sersi's boyfriend, Dane Whitman (Black Knight), was present during the London attack and witnessed the events.

Low
Body Relocation

The summary correctly notes Ajak died in Alaska but was found in South Dakota. It omits the specific detail that Ikaris physically moved her body back to the ranch to stage the scene, though this is implied by the location discrepancy.

#C RELATED QUERIES

#01 Who is the Deviant Kro in Eternals?
#02 What is the Emergence in the MCU?
#03 Why did Ikaris kill Ajak?

#S SOURCES

wikipedia.org fandom.com collider.com unshavedmouse.com

#R ORIGINAL AI RESPONSE

#A DIRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED ANALYSIS)