How to Deter a Robber
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How to Deter a Robber
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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 How to Deter a Robber is a comedy-thriller about a teenage couple and their uncle who are held hostage by a pair of robbers. There is frequent strong language and occasional violence, which is mostly played for laughs. Lead character Madison (Vanessa Marano) is immature but does her best to take control of a difficult situation, while her skeptical uncle Andy (Chris Mulkey) offers a more traditional type of role model. The movie's positive messages take a while to emerge, but all of the main characters make some attempt to care for the people who are important to them. Swearing is constant, with multiple uses of "f--k" and "s--t" used when characters are frustrated or in danger. Violence and weapons feature as the action ramps up, with bloody injury and death. These moments are often played for their comedic value, though, so lack any real shock or horror. There is some kissing between Madison and her boyfriend, Jimmy (Benjamin Papac), and it is implied that they have sex. Characters drink alcohol fairly regularly, too -- despite Madison and Jimmy both being in their late teens -- with some suggestion of mild intoxication.
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What's the Story?
HOW TO DETER A ROBBER finds teen couple Madison (Vanessa Marano) and Jimmy (Benjamin Papac) having to deal with a home invasion in a remote town during Christmas.
Is It Any Good?
With the first Home Alone movie rightly regarded as a classic, and its various sequels and reboots suggesting there's always an audience for a Christmas crime caper, it's unsurprising that this film got green-lit. But everything about How to Deter a Robber is so derivative that it offers zero surprises or suspense. Debut writer-director Maria Bissell would've benefitted from spending more time on developing the movie's core group of five characters. In particular, the relationship troubles of Marano's defiant Madison and Abbie Cobb's people-pleasing home invader, Christine, who is the most original voice of the piece but barely utilized.
Likewise, Papac gets one scene to show that there's more to goofy boyfriend Jimmy than meets the eye. But it's quickly forgotten before we return to a comedy-thriller plot that's missing both laughs and excitement. Between its booby-trapped house that fails to spark into life and dialogue that rarely offers more than mundane squabbling between family members, How to Deter a Robber is one of those Christmas presents likely to end up in the returns pile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in How to Deter a Robber. Did the comedic tone of the movie make the violent scenes less impactful? If so, why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? Was it needed to make the story more realistic?
How was drinking depicted in the movie? Was it glamorized? What were the consequences?
Talk about Madison's relationship with her family. Why did she clash with them? How was growing up difficult for her and what problems did it create?
Discuss how Andy saw the world. How was he different to Madison and how did they learn to communicate? Why is communication such an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 16, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: July 16, 2021
- Cast: Vanessa Marano, Benjamin Papac, Chris Mulkey
- Director: Maria Bissell
- Studio: Shout! Factory
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Holidays
- Character Strengths: Communication, Teamwork
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: July 4, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Home Alone
Slapstick comedy is funny but full of iffy stuff.
-
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Sequel takes slapstick shenanigans to NYC.
-
Knives Out
Expert, effortlessly entertaining all-star mystery-comedy.
For kids who love movies set at Christmas
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