Avengers: Infinity War ending explained

What happens

Thanos collects the last stone, completes the gauntlet and snaps his fingers. Half of all living things, including many heroes, turn to dust. He retires to a quiet planet while the survivors mourn, and Nick Fury sends out a signal before he vanishes.

The last image

Nick Fury, having sent out a signal, turns to dust, leaving the survivors to grieve in silence.

What it says

The ending lets the villain win and trusts you to feel it. Your usual rewards are withheld, so conviction's cost lands as loss, not triumph. It also sets up the sequel's task: the heroes now have to answer what they failed to stop.