The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them

Eleanor attempts suicide by jumping into the Hudson River while biking over a bridge, driven by overwhelming grief over the loss of her child. This desperate act stems from her severe depression following the tragedy, which has left her unable to cope with everyday life. She is rescued and hospitalized, where Connor rushes to be by her side.

Earlier scenes establish Eleanor's profound emotional withdrawal and the strain in her marriage, hinting at the depth of her despair.

Eleanor and Connor lost their child, and this devastating loss is the central tragedy that fractures their marriage. The grief from this loss haunts Eleanor throughout the film, manifesting in her severe depression and eventual suicide attempt. Her father specifically urges her to seek therapy to cope with the grief of losing her son.

Eleanor's father insists she visit a psychiatrist to address the grief from losing her child, a topic that weighs heavily on her throughout the narrative.

Connor has a one-night stand with Alexis, a bartender at his restaurant, during a period when his marriage is failing and his restaurant is struggling financially. This act of infidelity reflects his emotional vulnerability and inability to process his own pain over their shared loss. The affair further damages his already fractured relationship with Eleanor when she discovers the truth.

Earlier scenes show Connor drinking at his restaurant and confiding in his best friend about feeling lost, establishing his emotional instability.

Eleanor decides to go to Paris to finish her dissertation, seeking distance from the painful memories in New York and a chance to start fresh. Her departure represents her attempt to fully heal and move forward with her life, though it means leaving Connor behind. The trip symbolizes her journey toward closure and self-discovery.

Eleanor meets with her professor to quit her class, signaling her intention to leave and start over elsewhere.

Eleanor and Connor take a spontaneous road trip to reconnect, but tensions resurface during the journey. When rain forces them to stop, Eleanor reaches out for intimacy, but Connor admits to his infidelity with Alexis. This revelation devastates Eleanor, causing her to exit the car early to process her emotions, further cementing their separation.

Their earlier conversations reveal underlying resentment and unresolved issues from their marriage breakdown.

During their early date, Connor reveals he cannot afford to pay for their meal. Rather than face embarrassment, they spontaneously leave without paying and escape to Central Park, where they laugh among fireflies. This playful moment represents the joy and connection they once shared before grief consumed their relationship.

This scene establishes their spontaneous, youthful relationship and contrasts sharply with their later struggles.

In the final scene, a mysterious woman is shown following Connor through Central Park. The film leaves this ambiguous, suggesting the possibility of a new beginning, whether it's Eleanor returning or someone new remains unclear. This ending echoes their first date location, hinting at unresolved feelings and the possibility of reconciliation.

The scene mirrors their early date in Central Park with fireflies, creating a cyclical narrative element.

Connor secretly attends one of Eleanor's university classes and passes her a note trying to re-establish contact. This leads to a heated argument outside, during which Eleanor's emotional confrontation causes Connor to be accidentally hit by a taxi. The incident forces Eleanor to stay with him until help arrives, temporarily reuniting them.

This confrontation demonstrates Eleanor's unresolved anger and feelings toward Connor despite her attempts to move on.

The loss of their child shattered their marriage, creating unbearable emotional distance between them. Eleanor fell into severe depression and attempted suicide, while Connor struggled to support her and eventually sought comfort in an affair. These compounding wounds made reconciliation impossible, leading to their separation.

Throughout the film, their interactions reveal lingering feelings but insurmountable barriers caused by grief and betrayal.

Eleanor's father is deeply concerned about her mental state following the loss of her child and her suicide attempt. He pushes her to visit a psychiatrist as a way to help her process her grief and depression. This external pressure represents his love and desperation to help her heal, though Eleanor struggles with the weight of these expectations.

The therapy subplot highlights the family's concern and Eleanor's resistance to confronting her trauma directly.