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:

Although Alice was a 12 year old girl, actress A.J. Langer was almost 17 when she played the character in this movie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Obvious stunt double (different build, hair color) of The Woman as the people under the stairs are attacking her.

Quotes:

Leroy: We done popped this house's cherry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Girl Fever (2002)

Soundtrack:

THRENODY TO THE VICTIMS OF HIROSHIMA FOR 52 STRING INSTRUMENTS

All in the name of perfection.

Once again director/writer Wes Craven delivers the thrills and chills. A young boy(Brandon Adams)is persuaded by a hapless crook(Ving Rhames) to break into his landlord's house to steal a gold coin collection. The house turns out to be an overly secured mansion that was formerly a funeral home. The demented landlord(Everett McGill)and his wife(Wendy Robie) and daughter(A.J. Langer)are not the only weirdness to be found. There is the mangled denizens under the stairs...in the basement...between the walls. The husband and wife are actually brother and sister. This tale of horror turns into a campy riot and easy to gain a cult following.