Solaris ending explained

What happens

Kelvin seems to be home, kneeling before his father at the family house. Then the camera pulls back and shows the house sits on an island in Solaris's ocean. The planet has recreated home for him.

The last image

The camera rises from Kelvin and his father to reveal the house adrift on an island in the ocean of Solaris.

Three readings

1 · A gift from SolarisThe planet answers his guilt by giving him a home, and he accepts it.

2 · A beautiful illusionHe has not returned at all; he is trapped in another comforting visitor.

3 · ReconciliationKneeling before his father, Kelvin finally faces his guilt, wherever the house stands.

What it says

The film suggests we go to the stars and meet only ourselves. The father's house, the kneeling gesture and the vast ocean hold longing for home and the unknowable side by side, and refuse to settle which one wins.