Tuesday, October 24, 2023

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

IMDb plot summary: Two adults and a juvenile break into a house occupied by a brother and sister and their stolen children. There, they must fight for their lives.
Directed by Wes Craven. Starring Brandon Quintin Adams, Everett McGill, and Wendy Robie.

The People Under the Stairs is a horror film that follows Fool, a young boy who becomes entangled in a nightmarish journey when he breaks into a seemingly abandoned house to steal a valuable coin. The film masterfully weaves social commentary and horror, creating a thought-provoking yet terrifying narrative. Fool stands out among other protagonists in the genre for not only his intelligence but especially his empathy. These surprising traits add depth to the story and make his survival a compelling focal point. Much of the film's brilliance lies in its restraint, revealing only fragments of the disturbing backstory. This enhances the horror, as our imagination fills in the gaps. Another one of the film's strengths is its unexpectedly empowering conclusion, which serves as a satisfying resolution to the characters' struggles. This contrast to traditional horror endings sets "The People Under the Stairs" apart, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and victory. If this is what Wes Craven is capable of, I really have to pay deeper attention to his filmography. This film demonstrates that he can create a film that is both chilling and thought-provoking in all the right ways.

How it entered my Flickchart:
The People Under the Stairs > The Blues Brothers
The People Under the Stairs > Elf
The People Under the Stairs < Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
The People Under the Stairs > Jeopardy
The People Under the Stairs > The Fabelmans
The People Under the Stairs > Black Panther
The People Under the Stairs > Breaking Away
The People Under the Stairs > Grease
The People Under the Stairs > Short Term 12
The People Under the Stairs < Cam
The People Under the Stairs > Network
Final spot: #482 out of 3820, or 87%.

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