Description:
Welcome to the ultimate house of horrors—and it's a commentary on class warfare! This week, we lock ourselves inside the labyrinthine mansion of the Robeson family for Wes Craven's wildly satirical and deeply unsettling 1991 cult classic, The People Under the Stairs.
When 13-year-old Fool breaks into his greedy landlords' fortified home to steal a rumored cache of gold coins, he discovers the truly sickening secret they keep hidden: a brood of tormented, cannibalistic children locked in the basement and living in the walls.
Join us as we explore the film’s unique mix of horror, dark comedy, and social critique:
Mommy and Daddy Dearest: Analyzing the terrifying, inbred Robeson landlords—a pitch-black caricature of wealthy, conservative Americana.
The Hero in the Walls: Discussing the film's groundbreaking use of a young Black protagonist to tackle themes of gentrification, economic exploitation, and the voicelessness of the marginalized.
Craven's Genius: How the film’s "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" mantra perfectly encapsulates a society that ignores the horrors being inflicted on the poor.
Grab your shotgun, put on your gimp suit, and prepare to confront the monsters that capitalism creates.
