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The People Under the Stairs (1991)

R  |   |  Comedy, Horror, Mystery  |  1 November 1991 (USA)
6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 22,332 users  
Reviews: 142 user | 88 critic

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

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Fool (as Brandon Adams)
...
Man
...
Woman
...
...
...
...
...
Jeremy Roberts ...
...
...
Young Cop (as Joshua Cox)
John Hostetter ...
Veteran Cop
...
Police Sergeant
Teresa Velarde ...
Social Worker
George R. Parker ...
Attic Cop
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Storyline

The People Under the Stairs is the story of a young boy (Fool) from the ghetto and takes place on his 13th birthday. In an attempted burglary (along with two others) of the home of his family's evil landlords, he becomes trapped inside their large suburban house and discovers the secret of the "children" that the insane brother and sister have been "rearing" under the stairs. Written by chinagirl

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

house | cellar | incest | death | sadism | See All (174) »

Taglines:

In every neighbourhood there is one house that adults whisper about and children cross the street to avoid. Now Wes Craven, creator of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" takes you inside... See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

1 November 1991 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$24,204,154 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (cut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Wendy Robie. See more »

Goofs

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

Quotes

Leroy: Nice to see the rich folks' got rats too.
See more »

Connections

References A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) See more »

Soundtracks

THRENODY TO THE VICTIMS OF HIROSHIMA FOR 52 STRING INSTRUMENTS
Written by K. Penderecki
Performed by The National Philharmonic Orchestra in Warshaw
Conducted by Witold Rowicki
Courtesy of Polskie Nagrania
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Fun, creepy, and exciting!
20 June 2006 | by (midwest) – See all my reviews

Now Wes Craven may not talk about this one too much, but you know what? I bet he's more proud of this film than most of his films. You know why? He went back to his original roots of storytelling as such how he made "Last House On The Left". The film is an exploitation film, but you would never guess it by the stylish way he fits it into the urban setting, and the wretched display of the villains. You know what? This film tops the last few films he's ever done. I think so, because he uses the old school style of scares, and yes, this film delivers some real moments. It has a very light sense of adventure and humor, but it's all for not without the scares. What would you do if you were a 13 year old boy, tapped in a big, strange house, which is a death trap for all burglars and juveniles? Not only that, but the owners who live their are not only your landlords, but also total psychotics! Well, with a few paths within the house, walkways in the walls, and trap doors in the oven and heater, you might have a chance at living. Brandon Adams, A.J. Langer, Wendie Robie, and Everett McGill are great, and work well together. I hope Universal releases a special edition DVD of this one soon. We need it.


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