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Characters & Themes

Home (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 94 min · Malayalam
JustWatch #20,020 8
Directed by
Tim Johnson
Starring
Jennifer Lopez, Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Matt Jones
Budget
$135M

When Earth is unexpectedly invaded by the quirky Boov, a young girl named Tip finds herself on the run. Teaming up with a banished alien named Oh, she must use her quick thinking to evade capture. Their unexpected partnership leads them on a journey filled with intergalactic adventure and surprising discoveries about friendship, acceptance, and what it truly means to belong.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Home
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Home (2015)

Where can you watch Home? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Home Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Home (2015), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Oh (Jim Parsons)

    Oh is a spirited and unconventional Boov who stands out due to his colorful emotional shifts. He is initially misunderstood and struggles with acceptance among his kind but gradually showcases his leadership qualities. His journey with Tip allows him to grow emotionally, turning his mistaken actions into valuable lessons of friendship and bravery.

    • 👽 Boov
    • 🎉 Fun
    • 💙 Emotional
  • Tip (Rihanna)

    Tip is a determined preteen girl fueled by her desire to reunite with her mother. Her resilience and resourcefulness shine through as she navigates through challenges with Oh. Despite her initial anger towards the Boov invasion, her emotional depth drives her actions and fosters a bond with Oh, showcasing her strength and intuitive nature.

    • 👧 Human
    • 🚗 Adventurous
    • 😡 Angry
  • Captain Smek (Steve Martin)

    Captain Smek is the leader of the Boov, characterized by his quirky and eccentric behavior. His immediate reaction to take over Earth reflects his authoritative yet misguided nature. Throughout the film, he undergoes a transformation as he learns to recognize Oh's emerging leadership potential, which fosters a new direction for the Boov.

    • 👨‍✈️ Leader
    • 😅 Humorous
    • 👀 Eccentric
  • Lucy (Jennifer Lopez)

    Lucy is Tip's mother who becomes a symbol of hope and longing for her daughter. Though her role is primarily as the missing figure, her influence drives Tip's courageous journey. Lucy's unwavering spirit embodies the parent-child bond that motivates Tip's actions throughout the film.

    • 👩 Mother
    • 💖 Hopeful
    • 🌍 Kind
  • Kyle (Matt Jones)

    Kyle is a Boov police officer who initially rejects Oh's attempts at friendship. His character represents the typical Boov attitudes towards companionship and highlights Oh's struggles for acceptance. Despite being part of the humor, Kyle's interactions help serve as a contrast to the developing friendship between Oh and Tip.

    • 👮 Boov
    • ❕ Standoffish
    • 🤪 Comedic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:11

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Setting

Where and When Does Home Take Place?

The setting of Home (2015): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie does not specify a particular time period; it presents a contemporary world where aliens interact directly with human society. The events unfold rapidly amidst the backdrop of an invasion, characterized by chaos and unexpected friendships.

Location

Earth, Australia, Paris, Eiffel Tower

The movie takes place on Earth, primarily focusing on Australia, where humans are relocated during the Boov invasion. Paris is also a key location, specifically the iconic Eiffel Tower, which serves as the Boov Command Center. These vibrant settings contribute to the chaotic yet whimsical atmosphere of the story.

  • 🌍 Planet
  • 🇦🇺 Australia
  • 🇫🇷 France

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:11

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3 major themes

Home Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Home (2015) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Friendship

    The theme of friendship is central to the story as Oh, a Boov, forms an unexpected bond with Tip, a human girl. Their alliance underscores the importance of unity in overcoming challenges, emphasizing how unlikely partnerships can lead to understanding and support. Through their journey, they learn to trust each other despite their differences.

  • Adventure

    Adventure is a prominent theme as Tip and Oh embark on an exciting journey to find her mother and evade the pursuing Gorg. Their travels take them through various locations and challenges that test their ingenuity and resolve. Each encounter enhances their sense of exploration and personal growth.

  • Loss

    Loss is poignantly portrayed through Tip’s longing for her mother, Lucy, who has been separated from her. This emotional struggle drives Tip's determination throughout the story, highlighting how loss can motivate individuals to take risks and seek out what they care about. Oh also faces a sense of loss in his identity as he learns the value of friendship.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:11

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Character & theme questions

Home Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Home (2015): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The story is set on Earth, primarily in Australia where humans are relocated during the Boov invasion, and in Paris where the Eiffel Tower serves as the Boov Command Center. These two locations represent the human perspective and the alien occupation aspect of the story.

  • australia
  • paris
  • eiffel tower
  • setting
  • boov command center
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The movie takes place in a contemporary world without specifying a particular year. It presents a modern Earth where aliens interact directly with human society, unfolding rapidly amid the chaos of an invasion.

  • contemporary
  • time period
  • modern
  • era
Q3

What is the main theme of friendship in the movie?

Friendship is central as Oh, a Boov, forms an unlikely bond with Tip, a human girl. Their alliance demonstrates how unlikely partnerships can lead to understanding and support, teaching them to trust each other despite their differences in species and background.

  • friendship
  • oh
  • tip
  • bond
  • trust
  • interspecies
Q4

How does loss factor into the story?

Loss is portrayed through Tip's longing for her mother Lucy, who is separated from her during the Boov invasion. This emotional struggle drives Tip's determination throughout her journey. Oh also experiences loss as he grapples with his identity while learning the value of friendship.

  • loss
  • tip
  • lucy
  • mother
  • separation
  • identity
Q5

Who is Oh and what is his role?

Oh is a spirited and unconventional Boov, voiced by Jim Parsons, who stands out due to his colorful emotional shifts. He is initially misunderstood and struggles with acceptance among his kind but gradually showcases leadership qualities through his journey with Tip, turning his mistakes into lessons of friendship and bravery.

  • oh
  • jim parsons
  • boov
  • leader
  • friendship
Q6

Who is Tip and what motivates her?

Tip is a determined preteen girl, voiced by Rihanna, who is driven by her desire to reunite with her mother Lucy. Her resilience and resourcefulness shine as she navigates challenges with Oh. Despite her anger toward the Boov invasion, her emotional depth fosters a powerful bond with Oh.

  • tip
  • rihanna
  • mother
  • lucy
  • determination
  • resilience
Q7

Who is Captain Smek and what is his role?

Captain Smek, voiced by Steve Martin, is the leader of the Boov known for his quirky and eccentric behavior. He initially orders the takeover of Earth, reflecting his authoritative but misguided nature. Throughout the film, he transforms by recognizing Oh's emerging leadership potential.

  • captain smek
  • steve martin
  • boov leader
  • authority
Q8

What are the Boov and why do they invade Earth?

The Boov are a quirky alien species who invade Earth and relocate humans to Australia while using the Eiffel Tower in Paris as their Command Center. Their invasion sets the stage for the conflict, though their motives are more about conquest and relocation than destruction.

  • boov
  • invasion
  • aliens
  • earth
  • paris
  • eiffel tower
Q9

What is the tone and style of the movie?

The film has a distinctly whimsical tone established by the Boov's color-changing emotions and the inventive Slushie-powered car. The pacing is fast-driven by a 40-hour countdown, chases, and continuous quest. Despite medium-intensity tension from the Gorg threat, consistent humor from the Boov's comedic characteristics balances the story.

  • tone
  • whimsical
  • humor
  • boov
  • pacing
  • family
Q10

What does the movie say about belonging?

Through Tip and Oh's unlikely partnership, the movie explores what it truly means to belong. Both characters feel like outsiders, Tip as a human displaced by invasion and Oh as a rejected Boov, and their friendship shows that belonging comes from genuine connection rather than fitting into one's original species or community.

  • belonging
  • acceptance
  • home
  • connection
  • outsider
Q11

Who is Tip's mother Lucy?

Lucy, voiced by Jennifer Lopez, is Tip's mother who becomes a symbol of hope and longing throughout the story. Though separated from Tip during the invasion, her influence as the missing figure drives Tip's courageous journey. Her unwavering spirit embodies the parent-child bond that motivates Tip's actions.

  • lucy
  • jennifer lopez
  • mother
  • tip
  • hope
Q12

What are the Boov like as a species?

The Boov are characterized by their color-changing emotions that reflect their feelings visually. They initially display typical attitudes toward companionship, with Kyle representing the police officer who rejects Oh's attempts at friendship. Their quirky, comedic nature provides much of the film's humor while highlighting the contrast between their society and human connections.

  • boov
  • species
  • emotions
  • kyle
  • comedy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Home, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Home tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Intergalactic Adventures like Home

Colorful alien worlds and quirky characters drive fast-paced, heartwarming adventures. Looking for movies like Home that capture the spirit of a quirky space adventure? This thread gathers films with colorful alien encounters, fast-paced interstellar journeys, and a lighthearted, whimsical tone perfect for family viewing. If you enjoyed the Boov and their quirky antics, you'll find similar fun and inventive sci-fi stories here.

  • whimsical
  • adventurous
  • quirky
  • playful
  • colorful
  • hopeful
  • Tone: whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a straightforward quest or journey across imaginative cosmic landscapes. The central conflict is often medium-stakes, resolved through ingenuity and cooperation rather than intense violence. Character arcs focus on friendship, acceptance, and learning to understand those who are different, leading to a celebratory and hopeful conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared sense of wonder and playful approach to science fiction. They prioritize humor, vibrant aesthetics, and heartwarming character dynamics over grim realism or high-stakes warfare, creating a consistently fun and hopeful viewing experience.

Energetic Journeys of Found Family like Home

Unlikely duos form deep bonds on a rapid, action-filled journey home. If you loved the dynamic between Tip and Oh in Home, this thread highlights movies with similar fast-paced quests where unlikely partners become a found family. These stories blend adventure, humor, and a heartfelt emotional core, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting tales of connection against a backdrop of exciting action.

  • heartwarming
  • adventurous
  • energetic
  • hopeful
  • quirky duo
  • acceptance
  • Tone: heartwarming, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, quest-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on a mismatched pair—often an outsider and a resilient human—forced to cooperate to survive or complete a time-sensitive goal. Their journey is linear and fast-paced, with external chases and obstacles strengthening their bond. The central theme is belonging, culminating in a happy ending that solidifies their new family unit.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their specific blend of a fast-paced adventure structure with the powerful emotional arc of found family. The synergy between the urgent plot and the developing relationship creates a uniquely energetic and heartwarming vibe.

If you liked this

Movies Like Home

Similar movies to Home: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Home (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Home in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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