Discussion on the Controversial Ending of Infernal Affairs

1. Chan Wing Yan's Death: Perfect Tragedy or "Forced Design"?

Analysis

1. Dramatic Tension
   The ending necessitates the elimination of one mirror character to resolve the conflict. Choosing to sacrifice the "hero" while the "villain" survives defies genre conventions, distinguishing the film in Hong Kong cinema.
2. Thematic Depth
   The film consistently implies "the world is hell." Chan's death rejects the simplistic notion of "redemption equals salvation," deepening the despair of "Avici."

2. Necessity and Rationality of the "Forced" Element

1. Realistic Feasibility
   Earlier scenes establish: Most senior police are controlled/misled by Lau; Chan is virtually isolated. With witness Wong Chi Shing dead, Chan's legal foundation collapses. Keeping him alive would require additional justification.
2. Genre Innovation
   Hong Kong undercover films often end happily; Infernal Affairs defied convention, becoming a unique market selling point.
3. Sequel Setup
   A happy ending for Chan would undermine Parts II and III's non-linear timeline and "karma" exploration.

3. Hypothetical: Chan Survives and Regains Status

1. Diminished Emotional Impact
   The iconic "elevator doors open—gunshot—black screen" is hailed as one of Hong Kong cinema's most shocking moments. A "courtroom exoneration" ending would dilute this into conventional justice victory.
2. Diluted Theme
   "Trapped by circumstance" would be replaced by "justice prevails," blunting the Buddhist "Avici" concept.
3. Reduced Genre Status
   Contemporary classics like Dog Bite Dog and Election gained fame through extreme tragedy. A softened Infernal Affairs might remain a "quality crime thriller" but not a "genre turning point."
4. International Influence
   Hollywood's The Departed retained the tragic ending, proving its exportability and universal resonance as a core appeal.

4. Conclusion: Classic Status and the Causal Link to the Ending Choice

1. Memorable Anchor
   Chan's death provides a potent, concise, open-ended emotional anchor, elevating the film from genre piece to social allegory.
2. Symbolic Figure
   His death transforms him into an "unattainable desire" symbol, contrasting Lau's "undesired attainment," forming an irreconcilable Avici cycle.
3. Discussion Value & Re-consumption
   Tragic ambiguity fuels ongoing audience interpretation; a happy ending would reduce discussion heat and rewatch motivation.

In summary, Chan Wing Yan’s death serves narrative closure while amplifying thematic depth, acting as a necessary but insufficient condition for Infernal Affairs’ classic status. Had he survived and regained his identity, the film would remain an excellent crime thriller but likely lack the piercing sense of fate, significantly diminishing its cultural legacy and place in genre history.

The death of Chan Wing Yan in Infernal Affairs is the "stroke of genius" that elevates the film to classic status. It perfectly embodies the movie's core themes and delivers immense artistic impact.

Chan Wing Yan's Death: The Perfect Tragedy

Chan Wing Yan's death is undeniably a perfect tragedy, not merely a contrived plot device for dramatic conflict.

1. Echoing the Theme of "Avici Hell": The film's title "Infernal Affairs" (Wujian Dao) draws from the Buddhist concept of "Avici Hell," symbolizing endless suffering and rebirth. As an undercover cop struggling in darkness for a decade, Chan's greatest desire was to reclaim his identity and return to the light. Yet, just as he was on the verge of success and exoneration, he was accidentally shot dead by an insignificant minor character (Brother Hon's subordinate). This sense of fateful "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" pushes the despair of the "Avici Hell" to its extreme. He is forever trapped in his undercover identity, forever barred from a normal life – the very essence of "infernal" suffering.
2. Intensifying Fatalism and Identity Crisis: Chan's death profoundly reveals the film's themes of identity and fatalism. No matter how hard he tried, he could never shed the "triad" label or truly "be a good person." His death is the cruelest footnote to this identity crisis, forcing the audience to confront a deep sense of helplessness and tragedy.
3. Heightening Lau Kin Ming's Tragedy: Chan's death directly deepens Lau Kin Ming's own "Avici Hell." Lau desperately craves redemption and to become a "good person," even killing Brother Hon himself. He believed Chan's death would free him from his past, but instead, it becomes an inescapable nightmare and source of guilt. Chan's death leaves Lau as the sole keeper of the truth, condemned to live burdened by this secret and his remorse. This perpetual torment, worse than imprisonment, aligns perfectly with the concept of "Avici Hell."
4. Emotional Impact: This "so near, yet so far" tragedy is far more powerful than any happy ending or simple clash between good and evil. It forces the audience, at the moment of shattered hope, to experience profound regret, anger, and despair, creating deep resonance and reflection. This emotional impact is a key factor in the film's classic status.

Would the Film's Classic Status Diminish If He Survived and Was Reinstated?

Yes, significantly.

1. Undermining the Core Theme: If Chan survived and regained his identity, the core theme of "Infernal Affairs" would collapse. His successful escape from "hell" would drastically reduce the film's philosophical depth and exploration of human nature and fate. It would devolve from a profound tragedy into a standard police procedural about a successful undercover operation.
2. Weakening Emotional Impact: A "good guy gets rewarded" ending, while perhaps crowd-pleasing, would severely diminish the film's artistic power. The audience would not feel the heart-wrenching regret and despair, and the film's memorability and lingering impact would fade. It would be "entertaining" but no longer "shocking."
3. Diminishing Lau Kin Ming's Character Arc: Chan's death marks the beginning of Lau's "Avici Hell." If Chan lived, Lau might simply be an exposed mole; his struggle and pain would lose their depth and representativeness. The film's exploration of the blurred lines between "good" and "bad" and the complexity of human nature would become superficial.
4. Loss of Uniqueness: Police thrillers where undercover agents successfully return are commonplace. Chan's tragic ending is precisely what sets Infernal Affairs apart, giving it a unique character and profound depth. His survival would strip the film of this distinctiveness, reducing it to a formulaic work.
5. Diluting the Reflection of Reality: The tragic ending also reflects the immense risks, sacrifices, and identity crises faced by real undercover officers. A happy ending would soften this harsh reality, making it seem overly idealized.

In conclusion, Chan Wing Yan's death is the soul of Infernal Affairs. It is not only a perfect tragedy but also the sublimation of the film's themes, character development, and emotional expression. Had he survived, the movie would have lost its core appeal and depth, and its status as a classic would be forfeited.