Home Alone
Parents say
Based on 74 reviews
Kids say
Based on 259 reviews
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Home Alone
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Home Alone is a hit 1990 John Hughes-directed holiday comedy in which a young boy named Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is left to fend for himself when his harried parents mistakenly leave him behind during a family trip. Expect disrespect between kids and adults and sibling name-calling early in the movie: Kevin is called a "disease" and "puke" by his older siblings and even a "little jerk" by his uncle, while Kevin talks back to his mother. There's no diversity (all characters are White and mostly male), and there's a ton of slapstick violence: Kevin trips would-be burglars down a flight of stairs, burns them, hits them with heavy objects, places sharp items on the ground for them to step on, and shoots them with a BB gun. Dangerous behavior with no real consequences includes Kevin sledding down the stairs and out the front door or going out shopping and walking alone after dark. Kevin also is shown watching a violent gangster movie that involves a character being repeatedly shot with a machine gun. He finds an issue of Playboy in a secret stash in his older brother's room but doesn't express much interest in it. Profanity includes "ass," "bitch," "damn," "hell," and "s--t." Overall, the movie is fun for kids and adults, but the violence and language make it inappropriate for younger children.
Community Reviews
A storyline of abandonment is the scariest thing in it
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This anime is awesome
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What's the Story?
HOME ALONE is the story of 8-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), a mischievous kid who feels largely ignored by his large extended family. While everyone is preparing for a Christmas vacation in Paris, Kevin gets in trouble, is banished to the attic overnight, and wishes his family would just disappear. He gets his wish the next morning when they mistakenly leave him behind. At first Kevin is elated -- but pretty soon he realizes that being home alone isn't all it's cracked up to be. He misses his mom (who tries any and every means of getting home to her son) and even his brother, who bullies him. With all of the block's other families also away, Kevin has no one to turn to. Meanwhile, a pair of bumbling burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern take advantage of the situation by pillaging the neighborhood. It's up to Kevin to defend his home, using every prank in his well-stocked arsenal. A bevy of violent, slapstick, wince-inducing episodes ensues as Kevin fights to foil the burglars' plans.
Is It Any Good?
This is a good-natured, albeit unrealistic, family film that both kids and adults will enjoy if they're OK with the violence, profanity, and disrespectful behavior. Its endearing story and a charming performance by Culkin make Home Alone a standout among the usual holiday movie fare. Without resorting to the all-too-adult double entendres that dominate many family films, this one focuses more on slapstick humor and innocence to convey its story. That said, that very reliance on slapstick does mean it's chock-full of wince-inducing violence. It's not for the weak-stomached and definitely requires some major suspension of disbelief.
Home Alone's runaway success upon release was due largely to its players, most notably Culkin. Previously cast in supporting roles in movies such as Rocket Gibraltar and Uncle Buck, Culkin is Home Alone's main attraction. Appearing in nearly every scene, he maintains a level of consistency that's a testament to both his talent and that of director Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Mrs. Doubtfire). Catherine O'Hara (Best in Show, SCTV) does a fine job as Kevin's overwrought, guilt-ridden mom, and Pesci and Stern have great chemistry and handle the physical comedy with aplomb. Another performance of note is John Candy's cameo as Polka Band Shuttle Chief Gus Polanski. Although his role is brief, he nearly steals the show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they think the slapstick violence in Home Alone is funny. How do you feel about laughing when someone gets hurt? Is it ever appropriate?
With younger kids, parents may want to discuss the steps they should take in the event they ever do get left alone, especially if they sense they're in danger.
In the film, Kevin decides to take on the burglars and wins. Instead of attempting to stop them on his own, how could he have sought help?
How does Kevin demonstrate perseverance and courage in Home Alone? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 10, 1990
- On DVD or streaming: October 5, 1999
- Cast: Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, Macaulay Culkin
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Holidays
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: Se insta a los padres a dar "orientación paterna". Puede contener algún material que no guste a los padres para sus hijos pequeños.
- Last updated: December 20, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Christmas comedy has slapstick violence, strong language.
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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Sequel takes slapstick shenanigans to NYC.
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A Christmas Story
Wonderful antidote to cutesy holiday tales; some swearing.
For kids who love the holidays
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