Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen thriller/romance is gory but ho-hum. Skip it.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Homecoming
What's the Story?
Mike (Matt Long), a high-school football hero made good, is home from college because his former team is retiring his number in homage to his prowess. In tow is his beloved Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup), a sweet young woman from an affluent family that he'd love to introduce to his parents. Everyone's likely to welcome her with open arms -- except his ex, Shelby (Mischa Barton). She's convinced that she and Mike are still an item and can't think of any reason that his new girlfriend should stand in her way...
Is It Any Good?
Problem number one: HOMECOMING can't seem to decide what it is. It starts out feeling any other teen romance and then ends up a quasi-slasher film. It's disorienting. (Actually, more like plain weird.) Problem number two: Barton. She appears to be channeling every other famous psycho ex-girlfriend role, with a little bit of Bette Davis gothic thrown in for good measure. Ditto Long, whose Mike seems so uninteresting that you have to wonder how he could have inspired such a tug-of-war in the first place.
Stroup, of 90210 fame, gives it the old college try -- pardon the pun -- but she can't quite elevate this mess from mediocrity. The plot's so tired that it wrings the life out of even the most suspenseful parts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie portrays teen relationships. Is it at all realistic? Do high school relationships sometimes feel more serious than they actually are? Why?
How does the violence in this movie compare to other thrillers and horror movies? Does it succeed at blending the genres of teen romance and gory thriller?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 17, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : April 20, 2010
- Cast : Jessica Stroup , Matt Long , Mischa Barton
- Director : Morgan J. Freeman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paper Street Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Competition , Friendship , History ( War: Other )
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 5, 2025
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