Just over 7,000 years ago, 10 superbeings were created by a Celestial named Arishem to protect the universe from creatures known as the Deviants. Led by Ajak (Salma Hayek), the team includes Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Druig (Barry Keoghan) and Gilgamesh (Don Lee).

Although they physically resemble people, they each have a different power, including super strength, flight, teleportation, mind control, shape-shifting and energy projection. Since they've existed throughout history, many of the Eternals have lived among humans at times, scattered across the Earth.

However, as they were created only to step in when people are threatened by Deviants, the Eternals have never been able to stop the atrocities committed by humans against other humans. With the Deviants under control, the Eternals' lack of involvement in other matters doesn't sit well with several of the team of superbeings, which creates conflicts within their ranks.