The People Under the Stairs

1991
18
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

41K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:09

7 Videos

73 Photos

Dark Comedy Satire Comedy Horror Mystery Thriller

When Fool breaks into the home of his family's landlords, he discovers that they have mutilated several boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs. As Fool attempts to flee, he meets their d... Read allWhen Fool breaks into the home of his family's landlords, he discovers that they have mutilated several boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs. As Fool attempts to flee, he meets their daughter, Alice. Can Fool and Alice escape?When Fool breaks into the home of his family's landlords, he discovers that they have mutilated several boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs. As Fool attempts to flee, he meets their daughter, Alice. Can Fool and Alice escape?

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

41K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 8 nominations

Videos7

Trailer 1:09

The People Under the Stairs

Trailer 0:51

The People Under The Stairs

Trailer 0:51

The People Under The Stairs

Clip 2:27

The People Under The Stairs: Fool Meets Alice

Clip 2:39

The People Under The Stairs: Dog Attacks Fool

Clip 3:01

The People Under The Stairs: Fool Escapes From The Basement

Featurette 2:28

The People Under The Stairs: Actress Wendy Robie Remembers The Bathtub Scene

Photos73

+ 65

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Wes Craven was inspired to write this film after reading a real-life news story about burglars breaking into a house. When authorities arrived, the burglars had disappeared but they discovered locked doors with noises coming from behind. Children had been locked up inside the rooms by their parents, never allowed to go outside.

Goofs
When Fool hits Daddy with the "iron" poker, it snaps in half and is obviously made of thin wood. Fool stops briefly, and looks off set in surprise, before continuing with the scene.

Quotes
Leroy: You seen Spencer?
Fool: I seen Spencer, alright.
Leroy: You find anything?
Fool: Something found him. He's dead, Leroy. I think scared to death.
Leroy: Y-you sure?
Fool: You thought he was white before, you should see that sucker now!

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Cape Fear/Strictly Business/All I Want for Christmas/Liebestraum/The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Soundtracks
Do the Right Thing
Written by David 'Redhead' Guppy & Markell Riley
Performed by Redhead Kingpin (as Readhead Kingpin) & The F.B.I.
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.

User reviews201

Review

Featured review

A classic fairy tale!

I really think people who describe this as a comedy or even a horror comedy are missing the point - it's a classic fairy/folk tale, right down to the theme of the kid having to earn manhood and a "real name" by doing a heroic deed. Wicked step-parents, hidden treasure (gold coins, even!), creepy house with secret passages and monsters in the basement, captive maiden to be rescued, innocent villagers held in slavery by evil (land)lords - it's all there! I know this could be said of a lot of fantasy/horror films, but this one seems to be more clearly derived than most. Loved it!