The People Under the Stairs

Written and directed by Wes Craven in 1991, The People Under the Stairs is one of his more unappreciated, overseen films between the success of A Nightmare on Elm St. and Scream. This is the story of a poverty stricken boy from the ghetto, nicknamed Fool (Brandon Adams of the Might Ducks fame) who’s mother is sick and family is about to get evicted. Fed up, Fool's sister’s boyfriend (Ving Rhames) convinces him to help rob their landlords. Rumor has it, these landlords have a rare coin collection hidden somewhere in their home. Fool accepts, goes along with the two burglars, and inconspicuously try to find a way into the home. Once they find a way in, there is no escape, and they learn the couple residing there are incestuous, baby snatching psychos, hiding something beneath the stairs. The house itself makes for a fun setting, complete with booby traps, electric door knobs, trick stairs, and hidden passages between the walls. Fool meets the couple's demurely daughter, (Leah Thompson), and is compelled to help her escape her abusive maniacal parents.

“Your dad’s one crazy mother, and your mothers one crazy mother too.”

The names of the parents aren’t revealed through the film, but are only referred to as ‘Mommy’ and ‘Daddy’ adding to the creepiness of the couple. The performances here are well done, shouting divine righteousness or “Burn in Hell!” throughout, and Daddy running around the house with a shotgun in a S&M suit. The social commentary of the rich getting richer while the poor are getting screwed is a pervasive theme. ‘The more money they got, the greedier they got. The greedier they got, the crazier they got.’ While this is far from scary, it seems not to take itself too seriously from the campy feel, resulting in a well paced, adventurous, at times suspenseful film. Though some humor falls flat, it may seem outdated, and there isn’t lack of it’s cheesy moments, this is an easy way to kill an hour and half. So come tag along through Mommy and Daddy’s trap house full of people under the stairs...and see if you can escape.