Disney’s Worst Remake Is ‘Home Alone’ (And We’re Still Waiting for an Apology)

The original Home Alone, released in 1990, became a beloved classic, showcasing the antics of Kevin McCallister, a young boy accidentally left behind while his family leaves for vacation. The movie’s charm lay in its clever blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and slapstick comedy.

Upon the announcement and subsequent release of Home Sweet Home Alone – which followed Disney’s inheritance of the franchise after purchasing 21st Century Fox – initial audience reactions teetered between hope and skepticism. Many fans of the original film expressed their apprehension, recalling the mixed reception of prior sequels.

As the movie debuted on Disney+, these fans were soon proven right. The film faced an avalanche of negative critical responses upon release, with many lamenting its lack of charm and humor compared to the original. Critics highlighted its misfired attempts at modernizing the classic premise, calling the plot uninspired and the humor forced.

Or, as the Critics Consensus so eloquently summarized on Rotten Tomatoes, “Nobody’s Home.”

If you’re one of the film’s few fans (we’ve seen them in the wild, they do exist), then more power to you. However, if you’re wondering just how Disney’s misguided remake ended up going straight to the bottom of its already questionable remake catalog, here’s a breakdown of where Home Sweet Home Alone went wrong.

The Disappointing Plot

The narrative of Home Sweet Home Alone centers around a young boy named Max Mercer, who, in a twist of events, is mistakenly left at home while his family flies to Tokyo for Christmas. Rather than the typical burglars, his home is targeted by a couple, Jeff and Pam, who are on a quest to retrieve a valuable heirloom they believe was wrongfully taken by Max.

This plot diverges significantly from the original story’s structure. In Home Alone, the motivations of the “Wet Bandits,” Harry and Marv, were rooted in greed and criminal intent, creating a clear-cut antagonist dynamic.

However, in the 2021 sequel, viewers encounter a couple with actually pretty relatable goals, which shifts the narrative’s entire focus. It’s hard to totally root against bad guys who don’t actually know or think they’re bad. That kind of moral gray area is fine in a Marvel or Star Wars film, but in something as black-and-white (and comedically violent) as Home Alone, the whole “evil for the sake of evil” vibe is necessary to keep the film entertaining.

This change ultimately undermined the tension and stakes that made the original film so compelling. Max’s character lacks depth, rendering him more of an impediment than a relatable hero, as he engages in increasingly reckless behavior without showcasing character growth or genuine lessons learned.

Somehow, the actual film said it best when a character literally utters the words, “Ugh this is garbage. I don’t know why they’re always trying to remake the classics. Never as good as the originals.” Sure, it may be garbage, but at least it’s self-aware garbage? Maybe?

The Cast and Performances

Archie Yates takes on the lead role of Max Mercer, stepping into shoes that were once filled by Macaulay Culkin. While Yates has shown promise in past roles, particularly in Jojo Rabbit (2019), his performance in Home Sweet Home Alone faced scrutiny.

We’re not going to get into criticizing a child actor, especially when, like we said, we already know he’s super talented in his own right. However, the character of Max Mercer – and the direction – means it was hard for even Yates to capture the same charm and innocence that made Kevin McCallister a timelessly adorable figure (despite his seemingly endless thirst for pain and suffering. We’ll overlook that).

Supporting roles include names like Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney, who are again both incredibly talented in a non-Home Sweet Home Alone context. their efforts fall flat against a backdrop of poor writing. Audience expectations of seeing familiar faces deliver memorable performances were not met, with many lamenting that Kemper and Delaney’s talents were diminished in a lackluster narrative.

The overall performance by the cast has been characterized as lackluster and uninspired, leaving viewers longing for the comedic brilliance and relatable characters of the original.

The Humor Did Not Land

Straightforward though it may seem, it takes real skill to nail the humor of Home Alone. Theoretically, watching two grown men suffer for roughly 30 minutes shouldn’t be funny. A child being abandoned by his family shouldn’t be lighthearted. And yet, the family-friendly skills of Chris Columbus – a man who later worked his magic on the first two Harry Potter films – made it work.

Implications for the Future of Franchise

The mixed—and largely negative—reception of Home Sweet Home Alone raises critical questions regarding the future direction of the Home Alone series. Many fans and critics are voicing their concerns over Disney’s handling of legacy franchises, particularly how attempts to revive beloved stories often come across as shallow money grabs. (Not to be harsh or anything…)

This latest offering has left a sour taste, prompting serious doubt on the viability of further sequels or adaptations. While we harbor secret hopes for a Columbus-led follow-up one day – maybe with a Culkin cameo as a father with his own equally calculating-yet-cute offspring – until that day comes, we’d rather stick to the OG Home Alone duology come Christmas.

What are your thoughts on Home Sweet Home Alone?