Year: 2016
Runtime: 88 min
Language: English
Director: Johnnie To
While recovering in a hospital after a police sting, a criminal masterminds an elaborate escape with his associates. An obsessive police officer and a conflicted surgeon find themselves drawn into a dangerous standoff as the criminal's plan unfolds, threatening to plunge the hospital into chaos and exposing hidden agendas among those involved.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Three yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Three (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Mildred Hayes, played by Frances McDormand, is in a state of deep sorrow as she grapples with the traumatic loss of her teenage daughter, Angela, portrayed by Kathryn Newton, who was tragically assaulted and murdered seven months earlier. Frustrated by the lack of significant progress in the investigation into Angela’s death, Mildred takes a bold step to draw attention to her plight. She rents three dilapidated billboards situated near her home, emblazoned with the provocative phrases: “R*D WHILE DYING”**, “AND STILL NO ARRESTS?”, and “HOW COME, CHIEF WILLOUGHBY?” This audacious act provokes a strong backlash from the local community, including Sheriff Bill Willoughby, played by Woody Harrelson, and the overtly racist officer Jason Dixon, portrayed by Sam Rockwell. Adding to the tension is the community’s awareness of Willoughby’s terminal pancreatic cancer, making Mildred’s actions even more controversial, especially because Willoughby is generally respected as a good man.
Despite her son Robbie, played by Lucas Hedges, being distressed by the situation, Mildred remains steadfast in her conviction. The scrutiny and intimidation escalate as Sheriff Willoughby sympathizes with her frustrations but feels personally attacked by the billboards. In his attempt to restore order, Dixon resorts to harassment, threatening the billboard renter Red, played by Caleb Landry Jones, and falsely arresting Mildred’s coworker Denise, portrayed by Amanda Warren, on minor drug charges. Compounding her trauma, Mildred also faces confrontations from her abusive ex-husband Charlie, played by John Hawkes, who irresponsibly blames her for their daughter’s tragic fate.
However, the situation takes a dramatic turn when Willoughby, who appears to be understanding of Mildred’s anger, suffers a bloody coughing episode during an interview with her. Choosing to leave the hospital against medical advice, he spends one last beautiful day with his wife Anne, portrayed by Abbie Cornish, and their daughters before ultimately deciding to take his own life. In a poignant farewell, he leaves notes for multiple people, one of which reassures Mildred that she was not a reason for his demise, and he even financially supports the continued display of her billboards out of a shared sense of humor about the chaos that would ensue.
The death of Willoughby sends shockwaves through the community, and Dixon’s violent reaction towards Red and his assistant becomes a point of concern, especially as it is witnessed by Willoughby’s replacement, Abercrombie, played by Clarke Peters, who promptly dismisses Dixon. The billboards themselves face destruction via arson, compelling Mildred to retaliate by launching Molotov cocktails at the police station, under the belief that no one is inside. However, Dixon is there and uses this opportunity to reflect on a letter Willoughby left him, one that encourages a shift away from hate towards a path of love—an ironic twist given his previous actions.
After exiting the hospital, Dixon gains crucial information while eavesdropping on a bar patron boasting about a crime similar to Angela’s murder. Seizing the moment, he gathers DNA from this suspect, further intertwining their fates. Meanwhile, Mildred’s situation becomes increasingly complex as she finds herself on a date with James, played by Peter Dinklage, who provides her with an alibi. Unfortunately, the evening takes a painful turn when Charlie arrives with his young girlfriend Penelope, portrayed by Samara Weaving, revealing his involvement in the destruction of the billboards.
As the plot thickens, Abercrombie informs Dixon that the DNA doesn’t match any evidence from Angela’s case, leading them both to suspect the man is involved in other sexual assaults. United in their quest for justice, Mildred and Dixon embark on a journey to Idaho armed with a weapon, grappling with their ethical dilemmas as they progress. The tension mounts as they navigate their conflicting emotions and contemplate their next steps on their daunting mission for truth and retribution.
Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04
Still wondering what the ending of Three (2016) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the ending of Three Musketeers: Milady, the story reaches its climax with a series of dramatic and tragic events. Milady, once thought to be merely a villain, is revealed to be Athos’ wife and D’Artagnan’s former love, which complicates everything. She is captured and sentenced to death in England after a failed attempt to eliminate the Duke of Buckingham, who is aiding the Protestants against France. Despite her efforts to escape, she is ultimately executed by hanging, dying with the hope that her end will bring peace. Meanwhile, Constance, D’Artagnan’s beloved, is also captured and sadly hanged, leaving D’Artagnan devastated. Before her death, Constance manages to help Milady escape, even though it costs her her life. D’Artagnan arrives just after her death, finds her in his arms, and is left angry and heartbroken. The conflict between Milady and D’Artagnan concludes with a fierce fight inside a burning house, in which Milady escapes once again. Throughout the film, we see the complex personal entanglements among the characters—Milady’s tragic love with Athos, the sacrifice of Constance, and D’Artagnan’s unwavering loyalty. The story ends on a somber, unresolved note, with Athos losing his son and discovering that Milady has taken him, leaving the future of these characters uncertain. This ending emphasizes the cost of their passions and choices, and sets up the possibility of future conflicts in a potential continuation or trilogy.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Three in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Three is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Three with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Three. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Three that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Three (2016) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Three (2016) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Three (2016) Ending Explained & Theories
Movies Like Three – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Triple Threat (2019) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
On the Count of Three (2022) Full Summary & Key Details
Thr3e (2007) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) Full Movie Breakdown
3 Days to Kill (2014) Complete Plot Breakdown
3 Holes and a Smoking Gun (2015) Detailed Story Recap
Triple 9 (2016) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Death Wish 3 (1985) Movie Recap & Themes
Trespass (2011) Film Overview & Timeline
Dead Man Down (2013) Full Summary & Key Details
The Killers (1964) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Killing (1956) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Lucky Day (2019) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Next Three Days (2010) Complete Plot Breakdown
Survive the Night (2020) Complete Plot Breakdown