The movie gets some of its pathos from some truly heartbreaking scenes.
- Gordon's death, and the fact he continues to be a Weirdness Magnet even after death — when Connie finds out Gordon called John 7 hours after he died, her voice drops and almost whispers in agony, "I can't stand this."
- John's inability to get over the loss of his wife, which comes to a head when Connie says a woman in her description came looking for him, and Connie's phone call to John convincing him to come back to Point Pleasant to enjoy Christmas as he waits for his dead wife to call him. John Klein: What if it is her?Connie Mills: She's dead, John. The only important question now is how are you going to remember her?John Klein: (sobbing) I miss her so much.Connie Mills: I know you do. Of course you do. John, listen. You can miss her here just as easily as there. Even more easily because there, you'll all alone. And that's just no way to be. You do whatever you need to do and I'll understand.(nods but remains silent)Connie Mills: But here, we have—we have dinner at six and we open presents at eight. And we hope we see you. Okay? Bye John.
- It then turns into an awesome and heartwarming moment. Awesome in that the phone rings and the clock strikes twelve, indicating that Mary (or someone else) is calling him. After agonizing over whether or not to answer, John rips the phone out of the wall, puts on his coat and leaves even as it still rings. It's heartwarming because he listens to Connie, accepts her invitation and finally lets go of his wife. In the end, they end up saving each other's lives. We last see the two together in the back of the ambulance, safe.
- When John is sure Connie saw Mary, and begins denying it, he retorts, "Don't do this to me." His warning is wracked with palpable grief.
- Connie's dream of dying.
- CJ's death on the bridge — just as Holly is getting fitted for her wedding dress.
- Eyes of the Mothman and the book talk about how devastating the Silver Bridge tragedy was to the locals; not a single kid, for instance, didn't know at least one other kid who died on the bridge.
