What is the meaning of the kid's death?

I think it is the death of lies that these people have living. What we have here is two families that crumbling because of lies and failure to be honest with each other. Mikey's death I think represents the collapse of the pretenses that these people find themselves

I had to think about this for a while and yes it is a allegory. For the most part the players in the movie were self absorbed and had a hedonistic life style. I am sure the weather reports said a major ice storm is coming and they ignored it to go to that key party. At the peak of their depravity they lose a child.


Funny thing is Elena was so meek and mild. She knew Ben was cheating on her. Now at the key party Ben had his reservations about this and she saw it as a way to get back at him. Even after the party was broken up and Ben was passed out she insisted Jim have sex with her.