I saw this with Joe and he was really thrown off by the big shift two thirds of the way through when the protagonist disappears. The way this story is structured is part of its power, can be attributed to McCarthy’s novel. The film does not show us a story with a clear arc as played out through events. The strange, upsetting structure of this story forces the audience to focus more on the philosophical, thematic elements, rather than being caught up in plot line.

The title clearly refers to Sheriff Bell’s situation. Bell’s, father/uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., all worked until they could physically work no longer. Bell is part of a new generation of Americans. He has stopped working not only because he is tired, but because he is afraid. Chigurh is the new killer that he is afraid of. In Bell’s dream his father goes ahead into the darkness, but Bell stays behind. Why does he stay behind? He is not happy staying behind.