Rating: 
Summary: Creepy, Funny, and Oh Yeh, There's a Moral Too!
Review: First of all, don't catch this on tv. Rent it or buy it so you can see the R rated version so the entire effect can be had from this extremely hard to describe movie. Comedy, Horror, Urban Fairy Tale with a Moral? You'll have to watch and figure out for yourself. Personally I think there's all of the above in this movie but the Horror parts stick out the most and so I'd label it a Horror film just to categorize. When a young boy accompanies two thiefs to the home of the slumlords who are about to evict him and his cancer-riddled mother, he finds greed is not the only evil that the insane duo possess. There's homicidal tendencies, domestic and child abuse, kidnapping and madness all around. An extremely twisted view on religious zeal accompanying a leather bound-shotgun toting madman who shoots holes in the walls in vain attempts at killing a mute escapee! A rottweiler who's very good at chewing arms, a very determined youth with more lives than a caffeinated cat and some very chilling scenes that must have done some serious psychological damage to the young actors in this movie. Catch Ving Rhames (pre-Pulp Fiction and Rosewood) getting filleted and fed to the People Under the Stairs and pay close attention to the sadistic "parents" as their performances are what makes this such a funny and disturbing film. Not a movie to watch under the influence of mind altering drugs or cough medicine with alcohol in it. But a movie to watch nonetheless, especially if you've ever experienced poverty first hand.
Rating: 
Summary: Undoubtedly Wes Craven's Best Film
Review: Though Craven should be forced to live out his own horror scenes for creating a movie like "Scream", one must acknowledge his past, less dubious, achievements. The People Under The Stairs portrays a wicked little "fun" house where the insane whims of a self righteous "family" reap havoc inside. The concept of this film is remarkably unique, with a sharp tongue-in-cheek humor wired throughout. This movie is not scary in the traditional, slasher-zombie-ghost story sort of way. Rather, it bases it's terror on the absurb (like a gun-wielding, S&M clad maniac), as well as the all too real, like the issues of child abuse and poverty. Craven really hit the perfect combination of elements in People Under The Stairs. The movie is visually compelling with freakish and surreal images, the acting is fun and devilishly brash, and the social commentary is obvious, but light-hearted.
Rating:
Summary: They're creepy, they're kooky, they're altogether ooky
Review: Imagine that you're a young boy. Imagine yourself trapped in a house with two psychos and a Doberman who are all trying to kill you. Now imagine that this house is the most twisted house in history, with every orifice leading to passageways within the walls, the vents becoming a mode of transportation. There is one poor girl who has retained some semblance of sanity whom you must rescue from the clutches of this house. And there are PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. Mad people, vicious people. Oh, yes, there are booby traps placed everywhere as well. Don't go in the cellar. There is a crazy man in a leather suit chasing you with a shotgun. There is a crazy lady screaming "Burn in hell!" incessantly. This is the twisted world Wes Craven puts you in. This movie is pretty inventive, and I give it an extra star for the time, effort, and creativity that must have gone into building the set. And yes, there's also that Have/Have-Nots thing, but that's beside the point.
Rating:
Summary: Scream looks like a Walt-Disney Film compared to this!
Review: Wes Craven's mental sanity must have been in a state of demolition when he did this movie and this is a great thing. You easily find yourself watching the movie and throwing up laughing, screaming or just doubting the things that you see! Don't get me wrong, this is a great movie with a great plot, absolutely genius acting ( especially Wendy Robie and the SM-Fanatic Husband) and hundreds of scares and laughs. This movie may not attract lovers of SCREAM or I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (which are also brilliant) but if you ever wondered what it's like to be in a house where tongueless children hide beneath the walls because a twised landlord in an Sado-Maso costume is after them... Again, it is wicked and brilliant as well!
Rating: 
Summary: I love bad horror movies and this is the king!
Review: Ok, so continunity isn't a strong point of this flick, but obsurdness is! This is a great flick for a good laugh, but don't expect to be scared. The great Wes Craven was having an off day, but it's still worth the watch.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable horror thriller...
Review: Wes Craven once again delivers a good horror film with good casting and plot. I recently bought this film as it has been re-released here in the UK. I have to say my personal fave Craven film is' A Nightmare on Elm Street' but this is a clever film and it is is slightly odd in places as well as comical.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Movie Of All Time
Review: This movie was the best. It was made a long time ago so it's only on late night around 2'oclock in the morning; but I manage to watch it everytime. I just wish that Roach did not have died. When he did itmade me tear up a bit. The litte boy named "Fool" was chosen good to play the part this is the best Wes Craven movie i've seen. You can ask any of my friends and they'll tell you it's my favorite movie
Rating:
Summary: Get in where you fit in
Review: Outrageously well made movie about a boy and some bad guys who break into a house which belongs to a psycho couple that keep a bunch of mutant children in their basement and can't find their way out. Not perfect but an odd delivery by Craven. One of his best thus far. Future cast member of MY SO-CALLED LIFE plays an abused girl.
Rating:
Summary: WICKED IN EVERY WAY ...
Review: This movie is one of the most wicked movies I have ever seen. From the begining all the way to the ending with plenty of blood and action in between. If you like a good freaky twisted movie this is diffinately for you.
Rating:
Summary: Cool Movie
Review: Cool movie, interesting theory about having to kill someone for someone else to come back. Somewhat predictable, but still worth watching.
| 
