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The People Under the Stairs

1991·Movie
1h 42min·R
63
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The People Under the Stairs fingerprint

Relentless energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and terrifying

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Scare9
  • Adrenaline8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics7
  • Coming of Age6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Some dark humor and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor6
  • Satire & Parody5
  • Physical Comedy4

World

Class and money, everyday modern life, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers youYou scare easilyYou want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

In every neighborhood, there is one house that adults whisper about and children cross the street to avoid.

Trapped inside a fortified home owned by a mysterious couple, a young boy quickly learns the true nature of the homicidal inhabitants, and secret creatures hidden deep within the walls.
Suburban NightmareSocially Conscious HorrorClaustrophobic ThrillerGrotesque FamilySatirical EdgeComing-of-Age ThemesViolent Home InvasionUnconventional Monster Movie90s Horror Aesthetic

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The People Under the Stairs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The People Under the Stairs legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The People Under the Stairs worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64/100 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 67%, and Metacritic 57). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The People Under the Stairs rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The People Under the Stairs?

1 h 42 min

The People Under the Stairs runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The People Under the Stairs?

Critics62
Audiences65

Yes. Critics average 62 and audiences 65 out of 100, so both groups see The People Under the Stairs much the same way.

Was The People Under the Stairs a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$31 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $31 million worldwide, 5.2 times its budget.

What language is The People Under the Stairs in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The People Under the Stairs?

65AEARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCO+51

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The People Under the Stairs in 65 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The People Under the Stairs use?

Large HamZillion-Dollar BillThe DreadedPsychopathic ManchildMoral MyopiaTook a Level in BadassToo Dumb to LiveEternally Pearly-White TeethBrother–Sister IncestShare PhrasePedophilia Is a Special Kind of EvilBarrier-Busting Blowand 83 more

TV Tropes lists 95 storytelling tropes for The People Under the Stairs, including Large Ham, Zillion-Dollar Bill, The Dreaded.