Ericka Henriquez

I don’t even have to think twice about which holiday film warms my soul like eating a fresh gingerbread cookie that came right out of the oven on a cold, winter afternoon. Year after year, no matter how many times I have watched or will watch this film, “Home Alone” holds a special place in my heart. When I refer to “Home Alone,” I am referring to only one version of the film — the best version — that came out in 1990 and stars Macaulay Culkin. 

If you haven’t seen “Home Alone,” may I politely inquire: what kind of B.S. — “Bad Spirit” — is this? Have you no Christmas spirit, no heart — or, one like the Grinch’s that’s two sizes too small? Are you eternally on Santa’s naughty list? Because now, you are certainly on the WKND’s Naughty List. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but this is your “gentle” nudge to watch “Home Alone” now, right this instant. 

For those of you who find yourself in the above category, “Home Alone” tells the story of Kevin McCallister, the youngest son of his family who is left behind the morning his family leaves for a holiday trip to Paris. While Kevin is at home alone, there are two burglars in his neighborhood plotting to loot his house, and it’s up to Kevin himself to protect his home while his family is away for Christmas. 

This movie is classic, it’s quintessential and it is Christmas itself. If watching it is the only holiday-related activity you find yourself engaged in, then I’d consider that successful and sufficient celebration in my book. But, in all seriousness, “Home Alone” is more than just a movie for me. It’s a tradition. 

Every year after Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents’ house, my brother and I would change into our pajamas and race to the basement to watch “Home Alone” for the millionth time. Growing up, we probably had five different CDs of the film, and we’d pop one into the CD-player, eagerly anticipating the start like it was our first time watching it. 

What makes it so special? Why have my brother and I — year after year — made it a ritual to watch a kid from the Chicago suburbs get abandoned by his family during the busiest time of the year? 

For starters, the characters, put simply, are great. Their personalities are priceless, clashing with each other perfectly, resulting in an effortlessly funny — and perhaps somewhat cheesy ’90s acting — performance. There’s Kevin, the protagonist of the movie, who strikes a delicate balance between childlike wonder and innocence as well as grownup maturity and responsibility. And if you thought Batman and Robin were the most iconic duo of all time, think again because Harry and Marv, the thieves, complement each other so perfectly yet consistently fail to successfully cooperate, making them a comedic masterpiece. 

In addition to each of these characters’ personalities, what makes them so personable and relatable are some of the lines they spit out. I swear, I could quote this movie by heart because it’s just that memorable. One of my favorite scenes is when a pizza delivery man comes to Kevin’s house and Kevin plays lines from the fictitious movie “Angels with Filthy Souls,” and Kevin mouths the classic lines, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal.” Or, I love when Harry refers to Kevin’s house as the “silver tuna” of the neighborhood. So simple yet never failing to yield a little laugh, these classic lines among others are one of the highlights of the film.

However, what truly makes “Home Alone” my favorite holiday film of all time is the message and essence of the movie. After having seen it more times than I can count on my fingers and toes, it never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. Kevin may relish the idea of being home without his family that’s constantly pestering him, but at the end of the day, holidays are meant to be spent with loved ones. SPOILER ALERT: the McCallisters end up making it home for Christmas, and for Kevin, that’s the greatest gift of all. 

So, watching this movie with my brother is a tradition I will never give up. We may be watching “Home Alone,” but trust me, it’s so much better with company.