“I’m a criminal.”
In his first attempt at self-betterment, Kevin goes to a local store to purchase a toothbrush. His was packed for travel. “Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?” Kevin inquires (38:45).
Alas, once he again, Kevin is confronted by Old Man Marley, who has entered the store. Note that Marley’s hand is bloodied dead center and wrapped in gauze (39:30). This foreshadows Kevin’s eventual crucifixion later in the movie.
Frightened by His presence, Kevin takes flight. In the process, he steals the toothbrush. Kevin is chased by a policeman for shoplifting.
After escaping, Kevin expresses regret for his thievery and further descent into the sins of man. “I’m a criminal,” he laments. Here Kevin starts to take account of his earthly misdeeds (41:00).
On his walk home, Kevin’s theft and resulting disconsolation lead to a confrontation with the devils themselves. He is almost run over by Harry and Marv as they are leaving a job. Kevin screams in fear as the robbers’ van almost hits him (42:08 ).
This near death moment forces Kevin to look at his future death and damnation if he continues to follow this wanton path. It is here that the story of Kevin’s salvation begins in earnest.
“When those guys come back, I’ll be ready”
After almost getting run over, Kevin realizes that he has met Harry before, recognizing him by his gold tooth. The gold tooth represents biblical golden calves, debauchery, and a focus on material things, which is, of course, the principal interest of the burglars. Concerned that Kevin has recognized them, Harry and Marv follow him in their van.
“I don’t like the way that kid looked at me. Did you see that?” Harry asks (42:47).
As Harry and Marv pursue him, Kevin seeks refuge in a nearby church’s nativity scene. Note that he pulls down a green curtain, wraps himself in it, and grabs a staff to make it look like he is a shepherd (43:48). This represents the start of Kevin’s spiritual transformation and embracement of God and the potential for everlasting life.
Harry and Marv, the devils, meanwhile think that Kevin has entered the church. They refuse to follow him. “I’m not going in there,” Harry says. “Me neither,” Marv agrees (44:10).
This is immediately followed by the image of baby Christ in the nativity scene – the birth of Christ – linking Kevin and the symbolic representation of Christ in the manger. Kevin is shown as a shepherd with sheep at his feet.
“When those guys come back, I’ll be ready,” Kevin says (44:40).
Kevin’s transformation is, however, still far from complete. When Kevin gets a pizza delivered, he uses a scene from a TV movie to scare the deliveryman.
“Leave it on the doorstep and get the hell out of here,” the movie character says, with Kevin using it here in reference to the pizza (48:01). Kevin then shortchanges the deliveryman on his tip, paying $12 for a pizza that costs $11.80. This is representative of his Uncle Frank’s cheapness as well as a callout to the miserly Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
“Cheapskate,” the pizza deliveryman says (48:39). Kevin continues playing the movie where there is the sound of gunfire. The deliveryman runs off in terror.
"I’ll never be a pain in the butt again."
That night, as Marv and Harry arrive to rob his house, Kevin fills the house with light and people, making it look as though there is a party. Houses in the movie represent family, community, and the kingdom of God. Kevin’s attempt to defend his home is an embracement of family, community, and, ultimately, religion.
This scene stands in strong contrast to the “When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone” ethos that Kevin espoused at the beginning of the movie. It shows his ongoing transformation. The ‘devils’ are successfully scared off by the light, at least for the time being.
Kevin starts to long for his family. “I didn’t mean it,” he says looking at a picture of them. “If you come back, I’ll never be a pain in the butt again. I promise.” (50:45).
The next day, in a further reflection of Kevin’s growing adulthood, he goes to the grocery store. He buys laundry detergent, milk, and other items, including toy soldiers “for the kids” he says (52:01). This is symbolizing that Kevin has grown up and has a family of his own.
When Kevin returns home, he goes down to the basement to do laundry. The devil attempts to lure him to hell, with the furnace saying “Hello Kevin!”
“Shut up!” he replies emphatically (53:55). This shows Kevin’s rejection of the devil and that he is now trying to lead a good life.