Content warning: This article contains spoilers for Eternals.
Eternals is all about a giant team of powerful individuals who come together to save the Earth from truly cosmic threats. The focus is mostly on the team dynamic through their thousands of years of heroics, but among the Eternals are several great relationships. Some of the best duos in the movie help distinguish and deepen the many characters, and form stronger links within the larger group.
The movie largely revolves around the axis of a few key pairs, like Sersi and Ikaris or Thena and Gilgamesh. Their relationships guide both the Eternals and the world toward their ultimate destiny. But many other duos shine in the movie, setting up a lot of potential for future sequels and other places these characters may appear in.
Sersi And Dane Whitman
Sersi and Dane Whitman don't get a ton of time in the movie to explore their relationship, but they're one of the best couples for the way they reveal elements of the other. Sersi's inherent humanity and desperate need to connect come out in her reticence to commit to Dane, who she knows she will outlive because of her immortality.
Dane has his own secrets, and Sersi motivates him to be more upfront about them. Comic book fans know Dane Whitman is the Black Knight, and it's all but certain that Dane will take up the Ebony Blade to help save Sersi from Arishem.
Spite And Sersi
Sersi and Dane may bring out the best in each other, but Sprite and Sersi are somewhat the opposite. The two live together in London in the present day, but as Sprite says, it's mostly because they're both lonely. Sprite harbors a lot of frustration for not being able to age, as well as lingering jealousy over Sersi's romance with Ikaris, who Sprite loves.
This tension manifests in the climax when Sprite stabs Sersi to prevent her from stopping The Emergence. Sersi, being the most humane of the group, forgives her and even offers her the chance to grow up.
Ajak And Arishem
The relationship between Ajak, the leader of the Eternals on Earth, and Arishem, one of the Celestials, is central to the movie. Arishem, as a Celestial, is one of the most powerful cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe, is the all-seeing and all-knowing god, but has blind faith in Ajak. His inability to perceive Ajak's growing doubts about their mission leads to major consequences.
Ajak nurtures the growing community among the Eternals and her own appreciation for humanity, ultimately betraying Arishem by placing her trust in the future of Earth in the hands of Sersi.
Ikaris And Spite
Ikaris and Sprite are one of the best pairings in the movie, and also one of the most tragic. Sprite is in love with Ikaris, but their romance has no hope since Sprite will never age. Ikaris is also in love with Sersi and has been from the beginning of their mission.
They have no future together, but this duo arguably changes the most. Sprite's ancient crush on Ikaris leads to tragedy though when she sides with him in the final battle over The Emergence. Sprite stabs Sersi in the back, and Ikaris ultimately takes his own life by flying directly into the sun.
Starfox And Pip The Troll
One of the best dynamics in the movie gets the least screentime, but the future is likely bright for Starfox and Pip The Troll. The pair is revealed to be somewhat rambunctious when they arrive on the Domo in the first post-credits scene of the movie.
Pip The Troll is the ill-mannered attendant of Starfox, a handsome and powerful member of the Eternals who is also Thanos' brother. They're a harsh clash in personalities, but clearly have a lot of fun together.
Kingo And Karun
Kingo and his valet Karun provide much of the movie's comic relief, making them one of the best friendships. Though Karun seems mostly there to make sure Kingo's every indulgent need is met, either on the set of a Bollywood movie or to make sure he's always recording his fights with the Deviants, he also is deeply appreciative of Kingo and the other Eternals.
Kingo may not seem like it, but he is also appreciative of Karun's service and humanity. His trust in Karun with his biggest secret is complete, which is indicative of his faith in his constant companion.
Phastos And Ben
Phastos and his husband Ben represent one of the best relationships in Eternals thanks to their simple humanity. The married couple is one of the few, perhaps only, examples of a healthy and functioning romance in the movie. Ben is supportive of Phastos and his mission despite the fact that he has to leave his family.
Phastos wants only peace and love, and he has it in Ben and their son, Jack. Though he initially seems mainly interested in technology and inventions, as the comic book version of Phastos does, his family brings out his humanity and spirit.
Makkari And Druig
Makkari and Druig's relationship has little screentime in the movie, but they only need a little time to make them an endearing duo. Druig and Makkari are very flirtatious in their brief moments together, meriting a comical reaction from Kingo.
Druig has a contentious relationship with many of the Eternals, but Makkari seems to bring out his humanity. He's seen to be communicating with her in sign language from the beginning, and she definitely brings out his lighter side in their encounters.
Sersi And Ikaris
Sersi and Ikaris are arguably the center of the movie, with their romance forming the axis of the drama in the story. Their love is doomed, but they remain one of the best duos in the movie for how they bring out the best in each other. Sersi's inherent humanity ultimately sways Ikaris in the fight to save Earth from The Emergence.
Comic book fans know Ikaris is a hero in the comics, but his inhumanity in the movie is a huge motivator in Sersi's actions. Though she loves him as Sprite does, and is conflicted about her mission, his callous behavior galvanizes her in doing what's right.
Thena And Gilgamesh
The heart and soul of the movie belong to Thena and Gilgamesh. This duo displays a great deal of love and warmth after Thena is afflicted by Mahd W'yry, a condition that makes her dangerous to others. Gilgamesh swears to watch out for her, and they live a quiet life alone together.
The love and respect they show for each other survive his heartbreaking death at the hands of the Deviants, and Thena avengers him by applying the techniques he helped teach her to overcome her illness and defeat Kro.