When Disney announced the release of Home Sweet Home Alone in 2021, fans of the original Home Alone (1990) had mixed feelings.
While some were hopeful for a fresh take on the holiday classic, others were skeptical about whether the beloved festive franchise could be revived.
Unfortunately, upon its release, Home Sweet Home Alone confirmed the worst. Home Alone is truly inimitable – and Disney created its worst reboot to date while proving this to be true.
The Plot Misses the Mark
At its core, Home Sweet Home Alone follows the story of Max Mercer, a young boy mistakenly left home alone while his family vacations in Tokyo for Christmas. However, the premise diverges from the original’s formula by introducing a pair of “villains” who are more sympathetic than sinister.
Jeff and Pam, the would-be burglars, are simply after a family heirloom they believe Max took by mistake. While this premise might work in other films, it undercuts the charm of Home Alone, where the bad guys were unmistakably bad. Without a clear antagonist, the stakes feel diminished, and the tension that made the original film so gripping is nowhere to be found.
In the original Home Alone, the story was straightforward: a kid left behind, two thieves trying to rob his house, and a series of booby traps that created laugh-out-loud moments.
In Home Sweet Home Alone, however, the storyline tries to inject too much moral complexity into a plot that thrives on simple fun. It’s hard to root for the burglars when their goals are understandable, and harder still to care about Max when his actions don’t seem motivated by anything beyond sheer recklessness.
A Cast that Can’t Live Up to Expectations
Archie Yates, known for his charming performance in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit (2019), takes on the role of Max Mercer. However, unlike Macaulay Culkin’s iconic performance as Kevin McCallister, Yates’ portrayal of Max falls flat.
Max is supposed to be clever, resourceful, and endearing, but instead, he comes across as bratty and one-dimensional. It’s not entirely Yates’ fault—he’s clearly talented, as proven in Jojo Rabbit—but the script and direction didn’t give him much to work with.
Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney, both seasoned comedic actors, are wasted in their roles as the sympathetic burglars. The film tries to position them as more relatable and less cartoonish than Harry and Marv, but the result is an absence of the heart and humor that made Home Alone so entertaining. Kemper and Delaney are capable of much more, but their performances are stifled by the weak writing and uninspired direction.
The Humor Falls Flat
One of the key elements that made the original Home Alone so enduring is its humor. The slapstick comedy, despite its simplicity, was perfectly executed, from the classic face-palm moments to the inventive and chaotic traps set by Kevin. Unfortunately, Home Sweet Home Alone struggles to replicate that magic.
Under the direction of Dan Mazer, the film lacks the sharp comedic timing and physicality that was present in Chris Columbus’ original. The traps feel uninspired, the pranks fall flat, and the humor feels forced rather than organic. Where Home Alone has viewers laughing out loud, Home Sweet Home Alone has them merely sighing.
The Future of the Home Alone Franchise
The critical reception of Home Sweet Home Alone has sparked widespread concern over the future of the Home Alone franchise. Disney’s attempt to revive a classic has come under fire for its lack of originality and charm. The film feels more like a shallow cash grab than a heartfelt attempt to recapture the essence of what made the original so special.
While there’s always the possibility of a better sequel or reboot down the line, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Home Sweet Home Alone was a missed opportunity. The franchise might have been better off leaving the original film as the timeless holiday classic it is rather than trying to remake it into something it was never meant to be.
In the end, Home Sweet Home Alone serves as a reminder that some things are just better left in the past. For now, fans of the original can continue to enjoy the McCallister family’s antics every holiday season, knowing that, for all its flaws, the original Home Alone will always be the definitive version.
What did you think of Home Sweet Home Alone?
