If we think of Christmas movies, Home Alone is always on the list because we never get tired of watching it. Home Alone is not your typical Christmas movie; on the contrary, Kevin’s Christmas adventures are what makes it so entertaining and special.
And it’s probably the fun that makes us not realize that Home Alone has some serious religious propaganda… and none of us caught it!
Home Alone‘s Religious Messages
Home Alone was written by John Hughes, a famous director and screenwriter of the 80s, and he was a religious and conservative man. As a matter of fact, Hughes implemented several subtle religious messages in all of his movies, even the classic The Breakfast Club!
Marley, the Dreaded Shovel Man
Remember the old man with the shovel? Well, this is the key character because Kevin is kept away from him throughout the film because of alleged murders. When the little guy meets Marley at the drugstore, he notices that the old man has a bandaged hand and blood on it, which causes him to freak the hell out.
He takes a good look at the wound. It is right in the center of the palm, like Christ on the cross. And that’s not all, at the end of the movie, a couple of days after the beginning of the story, Marley’s hand is magically healed. Some claim that Marley is Jesus Christ, but the character may be more like a representation of religion. Kevin ends up getting close to him, they even share a pew in church, and he comes to understand him as the choir sings ‘O Holy Night.’
The Thieves
The famous thieves are one of Home Alone‘s favorite characters; their clumsiness gave us great laughs. Well, they are not simple thieves, when they both pass by the church, for some reason, they are forced not to enter. This is because they represent evil, that is, the devil.
An Atheist Family?
Kevin’s family would rather go on vacation than celebrate Christmas at home, this would be because they are not religious people, therefore they would not give importance to a special date for the Bible. In addition, they would also have turned their backs on Marley (who is supposed to be light), as when an atheist flatly refuses to hear from the Word.
Special Help for Mom
When Kevin’s mom realizes that her little boy has been left at home, she looks for a way to get him back and, magically, finds people who are willing – blindly – to help her get him home safely and on time. It’s not like there are no good people in the world, but it’s rare, we must admit. Well, these people would be a representation of heavenly angels’ help, faith, and miracles.
At the end of the movie, once Kevin is with his family, he goes to church and befriends Marley, it would be a representation that the little boy would have gotten closer to God.
After reading this, we will never watch Home Alone the same way… do you think one of the most beloved Christmas movies has religious propaganda?
This story was written in Spanish by Kate Nateras in Cultura Colectiva
