Wes Craven's career as a director has experienced more highs and lows than a bipolar roller-coaster fan; The People Under The Stairs sees him on a particularly unpredictable part of the ride, travelling up a slight incline towards New Nightmare after the rapid drop that was Shocker.
The film is something like a fairground attraction in itself, taking place as it does inside a warped 'funhouse'—a labyrinthine, booby-trapped mansion owned by a pair of rich, perverted, sibling landlords who are gradually turning their ghetto tenants onto the streets in order to redevelop the land. It also works like a demented urban folk/fairy tale, with fearless child protagonist Fool (Brandon Adams) entering the wicked duo's home to try and find their hidden stash of gold, only to face a terrifying challenge, rescue a maiden in distress, and become a man in the process. Viewed in this context, the film's two-dimensional characters, simplistic morality, and less than realistic approach becomes more than acceptable.
The handling of the material is delightfully unpredictable, equal parts twisted humour and genuine horror, with a bit of juicy gore, some truly insane action, a brilliantly designed central set, and the unforgettable sight of Everett McGill dressed from head to toe in a leather S&M outfit. Craven would suffer another drop with his next film, the disappointing Vampire in Brooklyn, before finally delivering maximum thrills with Scream; The People Under The Stairs sits somewhere in the middle—it's not an absolute classic, but it's well worth a look.
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
