: Director Ned Benson originally conceived a 223-page script that was split into Him (focusing on James McAvoy’s character, Conor) and Her (focusing on Jessica Chastain’s character, Eleanor).
Released in 2014, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them represents a unique cinematic experiment in perspective and narrative structure. Written and directed by Ned Benson, the film serves as a consolidated "third" version of a story originally told across two separate feature-length films: Him and Her . While the individual films were designed to explore the subjective experiences of a husband and wife following a catastrophic loss, Them attempts to synthesize these viewpoints into a singular, more commercially accessible narrative. This analysis examines how the film utilizes its unusual production history to explore themes of grief, isolation, and the inherent subjectivity of shared history. Narrative Architecture and the "Them" Concept The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them
: Reviewers often note that while Them is a "coherent love story," it sometimes bears the "scissor marks" of its editing process, with some scenes feeling disjointed compared to their original versions in Him or Her . Themes of Grief and Subjective Reality : Director Ned Benson originally conceived a 223-page
: Them was created in the editing room—largely at the urging of distributor Harvey Weinstein—to broaden the project's reach and provide a more linear, conventional experience for general audiences. While the individual films were designed to explore
The core premise of the Eleanor Rigby project is the "two-perspective idea," intended to provide a well-rounded cinematic experience of a relationship.
At its heart, the film is a "rumination on love and loss," specifically dealing with the aftermath of the death of a young child.