The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer (WGA):

Wes Craven (written by)

Release Date:

1 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

In every neighborhood there is one house that adults whisper about and children cross the street to avoid.

Plot:

Two adults and a juvenile burglar break into a house occupied by a brother and sister and their stolen children and can't escape.

Plot Keywords:

Fool | House | Landlord | Young Boy | Ghetto

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Brandon Quintin Adams	...	Poindexter 'Fool' Williams (as Brandon Adams)
Everett McGill	...	Man / Dad / Eldon Robeson
Wendy Robie	...	Woman; Mom
A.J. Langer	...	Alice
Ving Rhames	...	Leroy
Sean Whalen	...	Roach
Bill Cobbs	...	Grandpa Booker
Kelly Jo Minter	...	Ruby Williams
Jeremy Roberts	...	Spenser
Conni Marie Brazelton	...	Mary
Joshua Cox	...	Young cop
John Hostetter	...	Veteran cop
John Mahon	...	Police sergeant
Teresa Velarde	...	Social worker
George R. Parker	...	Attic Cop

Also Known As:

Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs

MPAA:

Rated R for terror/violence.

Runtime:

102 min | Germany:99 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1993) | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2002) | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1992) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1992) (2002) | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | Norway:18 (video premiere) (1992) (uncut) | Norway:(Banned) (1991-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alive Films

Trivia:

Through out the entire movie you hear the Man and Woman call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy". You never hear their real names. But when Alice attacks the woman, you hear her yell for the Man and she calls him Eldon.

Goofs:

Continuity: The items on the corner of the couch (cushion, throw, etc.) keep changing position as Prince first goes to attack Leroy.

Quotes:

[catching Roach and Fool in Alice's room with her]
Woman: You viper in my bosom! You little Judas!
Man: What are we gonna do with 'em, Mommy?
Woman: It is time to clean house! Total... spring... cleaning.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Directors: The Films of Wes Craven (#1.4)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

LULLABY FOR A LITTLE TREE

A Home Alone For Adults.

I found The People Under The Stairs very entertaining as it combines comedy with suspense. The Mum and Dad character were really creepy but provided the most laughs in the movie which is kind of odd in a way. The kid (who is kind of annoying) is similar to Macauley Culkin's character in Home Alone and the Ma and Pa characters are similar to the burglars from Home Alone too but instead of the bad guys invading the good guys house the good guys are invading the bad guys house. The house is cool as heck with loads of secret passages and gizmos, it's a child's dream play house! It has thrills, suspense, laughs and gore! There is not much bad to say against it but don't go in to this thinking it's a horror movie because it isn't. A darned good flick! 9/10