Home Alone Hero Journey By Mason Munier

Everyone is familiar with the 1990 American Christmas family comedy, Home Alone. Macaulay Culkin stars in this film as Kevin McCallister, an eight year old boy who is accidentally left behind on his family Christmas vacation. Kevin misbehaves the night before his families trip to Paris and to dismiss him from the chaotic situation in the house, his mom makes him sleep in the attic. Only for his mom to notice on the plane that they had forgotten their son at home! 

A hero is "a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities."

Kevin is the pretty obvious hero in Home Alone since he was able to save himself, defend his home from the Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv, and save Christmas.  Lets dive in deeper to the story and take a look at Kevin's hero journey...

Call to Action

Kevin's adventure begins when he walks down from the attic one morning to find that his family had disappeared. His parents and siblings flew off to Paris, accidentally leaving him behind in the mist of the chaos. Because of this, his ordinary world is altered and his adventure will soon begin. 

                                                                          Refusal of Call

The neighborhood burglars, Harry and Marv, are looking for a house to rob and they see the McCallister's empty house as a perfect opportunity. Once they begin breaking in Kevin quickly scares them off by flickering the lights to indicate someone is home. Shortly after, the fear takes over him as he sprints upstairs to hide under his parents bed. Trying to be brave he yells out to the burglars, “I’m not afraid anymore!” only to realize he still is. The fear inside of Kevin is keeping him from completing his tasks. 

Supernatural Aid

Although Kevin doesn't have any family members at home to help him, he does still get help along the way. He find this help in his Buzz's room. In his brothers room he finds cash, firecrackers, and his pet tarantula. These few tools will help him on his quest and guide him in the right direction. 

Crossing First Threshold

The burglars come back for a second attempt to rob the McCallister home. They must stop when they see their is a Christmas party going on. A Christmas party with nobody home? This is where Kevin really steps up his game. He finds cardboard and props around the house along with a radio and some string to make it appear that there is a party going on through the windows. Kevin successfully waves off the Wet Bandits and is now able to see what he is capable of doing. 

Belly of the Whale

Kevin is walking home as he almost gets hit by a white van. The driver gets out and lets him know to be more careful next time. During their conversation, Kevin notices the mans shiny, gold tooth and puts the pieces together that he's Harry. Frozen in shock, Kevin rushes home and begins setting up more traps because he knows the Wet Bandits aren't giving up yet. This is one of the main events in the film and this sends Kevin further into his journey. 

Road of Trials

This is when Kevin meets allies and enemies that allow him to grow and become stronger. He continues to defend himself and protect his house from many more burglar attempts, he meets the Old Man in the church and loses his fear of him, he talks to Santa, he confronts the furnace, he goes food shopping, and also becomes friendly with the Pigeon Lady.   

Atonement with the Father

Kevin outsmarts the burglars and takes his biggest steps forward. This is where Kevin grows the most because he faces the Wet Bandits which hold the ultimate power in his life right now. 

The Magic Flight

At this point in the story the burglars seem more interested in hurting the eight year old boy rather then robbing the McCallister home. Kevin sets up a zip line coming from a window in his house and he is able to escape from the Harry and Marv. It's this point in the story when Kevin is able to escape after he completed his journey.

Rescue From Without

Although there was nobody home to help Kevin save himself and protect his house he still had some help. Buzz's spider and the Old Man next door come in clutch just when Kevin needs them most. The tarantula and old man both helped Kevin defeat the burglars and return back to his ordinary life.  

Ultimate Boon

This is where Kevin's ultimate goal is completed. He finally defeated the burglars.

Apotheosis

Although nobody dies in the plot of Home Alone, there are still moments of reflection. One of them being when Kevin looks at a photo of his family on his parents bed. He is able to reflect on himself and see that he is not a child anymore. This is going to cause Kevin to change and mature. 

Crossing the Return Threshold 

Kevin has been stranded at home by himself so there is no point in his journey when he returns back to his original world. Perhaps when his family arrives back home his world is brought back to him. When Kevin wakes up the next morning to see his family all back home he is able to share his experience with them and return to normal life. 

Master of Two Worlds

His family is beyond impressed at what he was able to complete along his lonely journey. The McCallister's family sees Kevin differently, they don't see him a the childish kid that he used to be. This allows Kevin to realized both the importance of familial support and self-reliance.

The Freedom to Live

During his journey Kevin is able to overcome his many fears. His irrational fear of death, the furnace, his reasonable fear being on his own, his mythological fear, the Old Man, and his justified fear, the burglars. By overcoming these fears he is able to see himself differently which allows his family to also see him differently. Kevin is no longer seen as the childish eight year old brat he was seen as in the beginning of the story.