After uniting the underwater kingdoms and defeating long-time enemies, Arthur Curry, now fully embracing his role as Aquaman, begins rebuilding Atlantis as a peaceful and powerful realm. However, peace is short-lived when seismic shifts in the ocean floor awaken an ancient civilization known as the Abyssal, hidden for millennia beneath the trenches. These forgotten beings, led by the vengeful warlord Nereus the Eternal, rise with a plan to reclaim the seas and punish the surface for the world’s pollution and neglect of nature.
As strange tidal waves and supernatural storms begin to strike coastal cities, Aquaman realizes that this threat is far greater than anything he’s faced before. Seeking help, he reaches out to Mera, now the queen of Xebel, and reluctantly allies once again with his estranged brother Orm, who possesses knowledge about the Abyssal race. Tensions rise as Arthur struggles to maintain trust and unity among the underwater nations that begin to question his leadership.
With the aid of ancient Atlantean artifacts and a mysterious warrior named Naida, the last of an extinct order sworn to protect the oceanโs core, Aquaman dives into the forgotten depths of the ocean. There, he uncovers the terrifying truth: the Abyssal are bound to a dark energy source that predates Atlantis itself. To stop them, Arthur must harness a new power from the oceanโs heartโone that tests his strength, will, and his ability to lead not just as a king, but as a symbol of hope.
In an explosive final battle beneath the ruins of a sunken volcanic city, Aquaman and his allies clash with Nereusโs army in a visually spectacular showdown. Arthur learns that true leadership means sacrifice, and he must make a painful choice that will reshape Atlantis forever. Aquaman 3: Rise of the Depths concludes the trilogy with epic scope, emotional stakes, and a message of unity between land and seaโsetting the stage for a new chapter in the DC cinematic universe.