Infernal Affairs III

I just watched Infernal Affairs III and it closes the trilogy on a much darker, more psychological note. It picks up after the shocking ending of the first film, following Lau Kin-ming as he tries to live with the guilt of his actions. He’s lost almost everything: his marriage, his peace of mind, and his grip on reality. He believes another mole is still inside the police force and becomes obsessed with finding the truth. But as the story jumps between past and present, it’s never clear what’s real and what’s in his head.

The movie moves between timelines, showing how events before and after Yan’s death connect. We see Tony Leung again as Yan, mostly in flashbacks and dreamlike moments that blend with Lau’s memories. This gives their story a haunting echo, two men from opposite sides forever tied together even after death. The structure can be confusing at times but it also makes the film feel more emotional and tragic.

Andy Lau gives one of his best performances here. Watching his character’s slow fall into paranoia is painful. He tries to be good but his guilt eats him alive. Kelly Chen as Dr. Lee brings some calm to the chaos with brief moments of warmth in Lau’s broken world. Leon Lai also stands out as Inspector Yeung, whose cold, unreadable face hides something dangerous. His tense scenes with Lau are some of the best parts.

Many familiar faces return like Eric Tsang, Anthony Wong, Carina Lau, Edison Chen, and Shawn Yue. Their presence ties the film to earlier parts, though sometimes it feels crowded. There are so many characters and storylines that it’s easy to lose track. Some scenes feel like they exist just to connect dots rather than move the story forward.

Visually, the film keeps the gritty tone but adds a more claustrophobic feel. Much of it takes place in cold, sterile offices reflecting Lau’s inner emptiness. The editing, especially how past and present overlap, is beautiful and haunting. Moments where Lau and Yan seem to share the same space again are both eerie and emotional. The story does get messy toward the end with too many twists fighting for attention, but the emotion underneath stays strong.

The final scenes showing Lau’s total collapse are sad and powerful. Infernal Affairs III may not reach the perfection of the first film, but it delivers a meaningful close about how guilt and lies can destroy a person from within.