The Pallbearer
Aspiring architect Tom Thompson is told by mysterious Ruth Abernathy that his best friend, "Bill," has taken his own life. Except that Tom has never met Bill and neither have his incredulous friends. So when Tom foolishly agrees to give the eulogy at Bill's funeral, it sets him on a collision course with Ruth -- who is revealed to be Bill's oversexed mother -- and Julie DeMarco, the longtime crush Tom hasn't seen since they were teens.
The film disappointed at the box office against its modest budget of $8.0M, earning $5.7M globally (-29% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Pallbearer (1996) exhibits strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Matt Reeves's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tom Thompson, an aimless 25-year-old college graduate, lies in bed in his childhood bedroom, unemployed and directionless, still living with his mother.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Tom receives a phone call from Ruth Abernathy, the mother of his supposed high school classmate who has died. She asks Tom to be a pallbearer, though Tom has no memory of her son.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Tom decides to go through with being a pallbearer and delivers a eulogy for someone he doesn't remember, fully committing to the lie and entering a relationship with the grieving mother Ruth., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The lies explode: Ruth discovers Tom's deception about knowing her son, Julie learns about the affair with Ruth, and Tom loses both relationships, hitting rock bottom with his dishonesty fully exposed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Tom makes amends, has honest conversations with Ruth and Julie, and takes concrete steps toward an authentic life—pursuing real employment and genuine relationships built on truth rather than deception., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Pallbearer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Pallbearer against these established plot points, we can identify how Matt Reeves utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Pallbearer within the comedy genre.
Matt Reeves's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Matt Reeves films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Pallbearer exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Matt Reeves filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Matt Reeves analyses, see Cloverfield, Let Me In and The Batman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tom Thompson, an aimless 25-year-old college graduate, lies in bed in his childhood bedroom, unemployed and directionless, still living with his mother.
Theme
Tom's mother comments on how he needs to "figure out what he wants" and stop drifting through life, establishing the theme of finding purpose and authentic connection.
Worldbuilding
Tom's stagnant world is established: failed job interviews, awkward encounters with his high school crush Julie, and his mother's disappointment. He attends his friends' lives moving forward while he remains stuck.
Disruption
Tom receives a phone call from Ruth Abernathy, the mother of his supposed high school classmate who has died. She asks Tom to be a pallbearer, though Tom has no memory of her son.
Resistance
Tom debates whether to confess he doesn't remember the deceased. He awkwardly prepares for the funeral, tries to figure out who the person was, and becomes increasingly entangled in the deception.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tom decides to go through with being a pallbearer and delivers a eulogy for someone he doesn't remember, fully committing to the lie and entering a relationship with the grieving mother Ruth.
Premise
Tom juggles the affair with Ruth while simultaneously pursuing his real love interest Julie. He gets deeper into lies, enjoys the attention from both women, and avoids confronting his deception.
Opposition
The pressure mounts as Ruth becomes more attached, Julie's relationship develops, and Tom's web of lies threatens to unravel. His friends question his choices and his double life becomes unsustainable.
Collapse
The lies explode: Ruth discovers Tom's deception about knowing her son, Julie learns about the affair with Ruth, and Tom loses both relationships, hitting rock bottom with his dishonesty fully exposed.
Crisis
Tom faces the consequences of his deception alone, confronting his pattern of lying and avoidance. He realizes he must make genuine choices rather than passively letting life happen to him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Tom makes amends, has honest conversations with Ruth and Julie, and takes concrete steps toward an authentic life—pursuing real employment and genuine relationships built on truth rather than deception.