The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014) Ending Explained
TL;DR: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and the complexities of human relationships through the lens of a couple, Conor and Eleanor, navigating the aftermath of their child's death. The film's ambiguous ending leaves their future uncertain, with Eleanor walking away from their marriage while Conor watches helplessly. The story emphasizes the irreparable fractures caused by shared trauma and the painful reality that some relationships cannot survive profound loss. The dual-perspective original films (Him and Her) provide deeper context, but Them focuses on the diverging paths of two people who love each other but cannot heal together.
Detailed Ending Explanation:
The film concludes with Eleanor (Jessica Chastain) and Conor (James McAvoy) at a crossroads after months of emotional turmoil following their son's death. In the final scenes, Eleanor returns to their apartment to collect her belongings, signaling her decision to leave the marriage permanently. Conor, desperate to understand and reconnect, follows her to a park where they share a tense, unresolved conversation. Eleanor confesses she doesn't know how to move forward with him, highlighting the emotional chasm between them. The film ends with Eleanor walking away, her figure disappearing into the distance, while Conor remains frozen, symbolizing their inability to reconcile their grief in the same way. This ambiguous finale underscores the film's central theme: some losses are too profound to overcome, even with love.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Does Eleanor ever return to Conor?
- The film leaves this open, but her final actions suggest a permanent separation.
- Alternatively, the original Him and Her versions hint at possible reconciliation in the distant future.
2. Why can't they heal together?
- Their grieving processes are fundamentally incompatible - Eleanor withdraws, while Conor seeks connection.
- Shared trauma sometimes fractures relationships irreparably, as seen in their contrasting coping mechanisms.
3. What does Eleanor's disappearance signify?
- Literally, she's leaving the marriage; metaphorically, it reflects her emotional vanishing after their son's death.
- It could also symbolize her attempt to reclaim her identity outside of motherhood and marriage.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending reinforces the film's exploration of grief's isolating nature. Eleanor's departure mirrors her emotional disappearance throughout the film, while Conor's paralysis reflects his inability to let go. The park setting, a place of fleeting connections, underscores the transient nature of their relationship. The title itself, referencing the Beatles' song Eleanor Rigby, alludes to loneliness and the invisibility of personal suffering. The film suggests that love, no matter how deep, cannot always bridge the gap created by unimaginable loss. The dual-perspective structure of the original films (Him and Her) adds layers, but Them focuses on the tragic inevitability of their separation.
Personal Opinion:
The ending is devastating yet realistic, refusing to offer easy resolutions. Chastain and McAvoy deliver raw performances that make the couple's disintegration heartbreakingly believable. While some may crave closure, the ambiguity respects the complexity of grief-it's messy and non-linear. The film's strength lies in its honesty about how trauma can redefine love. However, the condensed Them version lacks the depth of the original two-part narrative, which fleshes out their individual struggles more vividly. Still, the ending lingers, a haunting reminder that not all love stories endure, especially when shadowed by unbearable loss.
Final Thoughts:
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them is a meditation on the limits of love in the face of grief. Its ending isn't about answers but about capturing a moment of irreparable rupture. By leaving Eleanor and Conor's futures uncertain, the film invites viewers to sit with the discomfort of unresolved pain-a bold choice that makes the story unforgettable. Whether their separation is final or merely a pause is less important than the acknowledgment that some wounds change people in ways love cannot mend. The film's power lies in its refusal to sugarcoat this truth.