LogFAQs > #976490962

15. The People Under the Stairs (Peacock)

So I decided to check out some of Wes Craven's less prolific films, and The People Under the Stairs was on top of the list. I heard it was underrated and I figured hey, why not check it out. I don't think I liked it all that much though.

The People Under the Stairs is about a boy, Fool, who breaks in with two robbers to steal from a rich couple that hides a dark secret in their basement. Fool must then escape from the couple, who seems far more deranged than expected.

I'll start out by saying I like some of the themes in the movie. It sheds a light on gentrification, capitalism tearing apart city life for those trying to get by, among other things. That's all very good and I liked it.

However, the movie eventually just ends up being two kids trying to escape a comically cartoonist Reagan-era couple. Which is a shame because when it's the kid and the other robber played by Ving Rhames, it's actually very solid. I enjoyed that movie the most when they were being methodical and ribbing each other. That part of the movie was great. But when it's two kids doing childish humor and slapstick? That's where it loses me.

The over the top performances by Everett McGill and Wendy Robie carry the film, but it all feels like it's way too much. I feel like they went too far and that they just ended up seeming far more goofy than menacing as time went on.

It feels like a movie that doesn't age well in terms of comedy, which is fine. But I don't know that it's a strong movie otherwise. I just couldn't find myself interested when it was about the two kids instead of the far more compelling dynamic between Fool and the Ving Rhames character.

So overall, I'm disappointed. It's not a terrible movie by any means, and Wes Craven is always going to have great directing, but I just don't think this movie lands anymore.

Rating: 5/10