III Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of III?

A small European town, where sisters Ayia and Mirra live, gets struck down by an unknown disease which takes many lives. Following their mother's death, the younger sister falls ill. Having realized that conventional medicine is useless in the face of the sister's disease, Ayia seeks help from Father Herman, a parish priest and a close family friend. In his house she finds books that are very far from the conventional religion. She gets to know that only penetration into Mirra's sick subconscious mind and discovery of the true cause of her disease will give her a chance to save her sister. Ayia is ready to go through this terrifying ritual, dive into the depths of the subconscious mind, and face the demons residing there. But will she cope with her own fear when she discovers the mysteries of her sister's past? Since the closer to the bottom of the ocean, the darker it gets.

Pavel Khvaleev's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Polina Davydova (Ayia)'s journey. Following their mother's death, the younger sister falls ill.

How Does Polina Davydova (Ayia)'s Story End?

• Polina Davydova: Polina Davydova's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Lyubov Ignatushko (Mirra): Lyubov Ignatushko's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Evgeniy Gagarin (Father Herman): Evgeniy Gagarin's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of III Mean?

The ending of III brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Polina Davydova's story may not satisfy all audiences.