The People Under the Stairs | The Horrors of Landlords and Housing Discrimination

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  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 197

  • @Yharazayd
    @Yharazayd  3 роки тому +1157

    dislikes are from landlords

  • @cairn4838
    @cairn4838 3 роки тому +634

    No coincidence that Mommy and Daddy so visually resemble Nancy and Ronald Reagan

  • @cherrybepsi
    @cherrybepsi 3 роки тому +242

    Omg I'm so obsessed with this! Not only does The People Under the Stairs touch on actual tangible fears that still apply today, but it also shows how sociopolitical commentary in horror didn't just start with Get Out or Parasite 💖

  • @wendynerd1199
    @wendynerd1199 Рік тому +19

    I also view this movie as a post-80's, dark American fairy tale/chivalric story. A young squire(Fool) sets off with two older knights (Spenser and Leeroy) to steal treasure from two dragons (Mommy and Daddy, who, like dragons, burn people's lives, hoard wealth jealously, and even use fire power as their main source of attack [the guns] and constantly express their desire to see people burn). The two mentor knights are killed, leaving only the squire in the dragons' lair, where he finds a maiden in the tower (Alice) and a helpful spiritual ally (Roach). The squire eventually gains some of the fortune, but returns again to save the maiden and slay the dragons once and for all. That the coins will get his mother the surgery she needs even ties into the treasure having a supernatural element (it's like a magical healing item).

  • @dangrippi3179
    @dangrippi3179 3 роки тому +61

    Fool has to be one of the best, most unique horror protagonists of all time and certainly one of my favorites. His character development/story arc is done very well - he's the type of character you really pull for and it makes you feel great when he confronts his challenges and succeeds. As he gets deeper into things he realizes that it's not only his own plight that matters - that the effects of the crazy couple's actions are far-reaching and worse than he could ever even imagine. Even so, he identifies with those worse off than him and that becomes the source of his great determination to help them.
    I've also always loved his wit and humor. It never comes off as cheesey or forced and it makes him more endearing.

  • @MissAlmostFine
    @MissAlmostFine 3 роки тому +234

    This movie is one I watched frequently as a kid and even then it made an impression on me. I love that Wes and co. were able to balance relevant social commentary with the horror and suspense. Horror really is one of the best genres for social commentary when done right.

  • @AA1891
    @AA1891 3 роки тому +173

    Movie still holds up. Hope more people discover it.

  • @jesstar1000
    @jesstar1000 3 роки тому +79

    this movie is so iconic and so underrated. it feels crazy i only heard about it for the first time a couple years ago.

  • @aykhan629
    @aykhan629 3 роки тому +14

    people under the stairs is probably the movie from my childhood that i think about the most. i'm always shocked when i find out people haven't seen it.

  • @psychedlicsouljam1995
    @psychedlicsouljam1995 3 роки тому +57

    I've lived in housing my whole life. Single parent and living on welfare. The stigma against poor people is real. Even though criminals and drug addicts are scary to see they are family members are its traumatic for everyone coming out of a life in the system. The government won't protect your family.

    • @cooperminion825
      @cooperminion825 10 місяців тому

      It's technically only a stigma around poor people of color. People visit Appalachia all the time and it's considered one of the poorest areas in America

    • @6Shooter28
      @6Shooter28 8 місяців тому

      ​@cooperminion825 not sure what you're trying to say here. opiate addicts in WV are doing just fine because people visit their region?

    • @cooperminion825
      @cooperminion825 8 місяців тому

      @@6Shooter28 what I'm talking about is the fact that people visit Appalachia and don't judge people as quickly or as harshly as if they drove through an area where there are housing projects. People blame the destruction of the Rust Belt for some of the problems in Appalachia and don't blame the residents. Unfortunately, when people see poor people of color (usually in urban areas), they judge them for not pulling themselves out of poverty

  • @anishinaabae
    @anishinaabae 3 роки тому +45

    a video essay on people under the stairs, by one of my favourite youtubers?? around halloween???? i truly feel blessed and highly favoured!!

  • @chantellew1782
    @chantellew1782 3 роки тому +118

    My mom LOVED showing this movie to me as a kid because it frightened me so much! I wonder why she now is so surprised I’m anti capitalist. This is a great analysis, keep up the great work!

  • @lizardjr.7826
    @lizardjr.7826 3 роки тому +33

    This movie is a masterpiece and it has such a great cast. I can't believe I never heard of this movie before. You've blessed me.

  • @peccantis
    @peccantis 2 роки тому +35

    I really, really like how the villain pair are called Mommy and Daddy. Not only does it allude to the prosperity gospel tautology (wealth is tightly tied to being very hard-working/smart/blessed, so having a lot of money is proof that you deserve to have a lot of money) which has lead to millionaires and billionaires being considered something of a virtue elite and entitled, or at least best suited, to make decisions that affect thousands of people, whether through company management or politics. So the rich as the grand, enlightened, best knowing people, something like parental figures.
    But it also uses the childish language to suggest the infantilisation and agency minimizing of the common folk. Not only are the rich the "parents" that ought to be obeyed and respected, but the common folk are "children", and therefore actually need the direct involvement and governance of the rich.
    It also sounds a lot like when corporations appropriate familial language such as "we're all a big family here" or "don't think of me as your boss, think of me as a friend with more keys" to instil an emotional (guilt) aspect to accepting or refusing overtime, sudden schedule changes, or performing tasks not in the job description.

  • @helena2037
    @helena2037 3 роки тому +87

    your music taste and editing is always SO on point- fantastic video! also get that sponsor!!

  • @fridasaavedra8460
    @fridasaavedra8460 3 роки тому +145

    The consumerism of the 80s it's weird for me, because Peru was having an economical crisis so big that Venezuela situation is the best way of comparing the impact. In that context, it's ironic to see rise and obsession of mall here (there were only 2 malls but still 🤷🏽‍♀️) because only middle/upper class peruvians went there to buy things.

    • @JuuuDantas
      @JuuuDantas 3 роки тому +26

      Yeah, here is Brazil those were the last years of dictatorship and my family was eating from literally the trash.

    • @minerva_luna
      @minerva_luna 3 роки тому +3

      Same thing in Costa Rica. We had a huge economic crisis in 1980.

    • @bmwjourdandunngoddess6024
      @bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 3 роки тому +3

      @@JuuuDantas Oh my goodness!

  • @MerelyFlowers
    @MerelyFlowers 3 роки тому +24

    Made it like four minutes into the video before I had to go watch this movie, and I'm so glad I did.

  • @ScreenFavorites
    @ScreenFavorites 3 роки тому +26

    I watch this movie very often, it’s stuck with me from childhood. It’s a hidden gem with a great cast and great story that tells my fav cautionary tale.Thank you for making this video

  • @AFW203
    @AFW203 3 роки тому +8

    Man, my favorite movie of all time. I honestly hope a lot more people give it more attention because it really is a deep film when you sit back and think about it.

  • @otterzrkuhl
    @otterzrkuhl 3 роки тому +21

    I only saw this movie recently and I was blown away by the commentary. I also never thought of Us that way. That’s an amazing read!

  • @DanielBrown91
    @DanielBrown91 3 роки тому +7

    I swear every time I think of the most random movie or show or actor a couple days later I see you made a video about it

  • @---fq5yv
    @---fq5yv 3 роки тому +7

    This is honestly my favourite 'horror' film and I'm so glad more people are talking about it

  • @ButtersCCookie
    @ButtersCCookie Рік тому +1

    Thank you. I couldn't figure out what made this movie so mean so much. I was never scared of this movie, it was sadness. I couldn't understand why this was or could happen. As I grew older I saw this as a reality. I thought people who could, would protect us from this injustice. These aren't rarity. They're reality.

  • @abracadaverous
    @abracadaverous 3 роки тому +13

    This was one of the few movies I paid to see twice in the theater when I was a kid. I absolutely loved it. Thanks for the rundown; this movie deserves more love.

  • @adafm8392
    @adafm8392 3 роки тому +94

    I’m starting to think Vampires Vs The Bronx is like a sister film to this one

  • @coyoteclockworkstudios3140
    @coyoteclockworkstudios3140 2 роки тому +2

    I was talking with a friend about how every business is rent-trapping. He said the kind of litigation it would take to change that would just take forever, that they would delay and delay and delay. The house in this movie is a metaphor for the inescapable environment of late capitalism: every door is a barrier, even the stairs are rigged, and the guard dog doesn't protect you, it protects the rich and powerful.

  • @Cdfaw
    @Cdfaw 3 роки тому +5

    I came from F.D Signifier's channel, he said if you like Lindsey Ellis you will like Yhara Zayd. and he was right! I'm watching your older videos to catch up.

  • @tristiancirca89
    @tristiancirca89 3 роки тому +47

    I loved this movie as a kid, but didn’t really understand so much about it until I was older.
    Also, I’m happy I made it to one of your videos so soon after it was posted. Love your content!

  • @djunaskye6220
    @djunaskye6220 2 роки тому +3

    7 months ago I stopped at 2:26 and said "I'm gonna go watch the movie first, then watch this video." Welp, it took me awhile to get around to the movie, but I saw it today, and now here I am! I really liked it. I forced my family to watch it with me to make better use of the $4 rental fee. Actually, that's kinda why it took so long, no one really wanted to watch at first so it took months of convincing, apparently 🙃 we also saw Ingrid Goes West a while ago. Your movie recs are immaculate 🙏

  • @andreyamatthew2006
    @andreyamatthew2006 9 днів тому

    I love this Gilman so much and it is too real and said it's still so relevant 30+ years later. Thank you so much for this video🙏🏿🙏🏿 Well done🙌🏾🙌🏾

  • @HalfBananaWoman
    @HalfBananaWoman 3 роки тому +7

    I only found this channel recently, but I’m so glad I did because each video is amazing. I love the blend of media analysis and social commentary

  • @tempesttossed6029
    @tempesttossed6029 6 місяців тому

    So incredibly happy to see someone talking about this film! And what fantastic insight.

  • @ems786
    @ems786 7 місяців тому +1

    Came here after your "horrors of overconsumption" recommendation - thanks for the companion video!!

  • @chibiktsn3
    @chibiktsn3 3 роки тому +3

    I have heard of this movie but never saw it, this has made me want to give it a watch!

  • @PantsOHara
    @PantsOHara 3 роки тому +15

    I watched this movie when I was a child and just thinking about it scares me, to be honest. There are still scenes that are burned into my memory. Because I was a child when I saw it and it terrified me so bad, I never really revisited it. That being said, I was even wary of watching this video, but I'm incredibly glad I did. I would never have been able to look at this film under this lens or consider any of these themes with my adult brain. Thank you for your work on this thoughtful video.

  • @ida6950
    @ida6950 Рік тому

    Absolutely loved this movie as a kid and it’s still one of my favourite horror films. It was censored in my country, but I few years ago the full uncut film was finally published. Really need to rewatch it.

  • @UndeadGirlCyber
    @UndeadGirlCyber 2 роки тому

    I started this video when it came out, stopped it, put The people under the stairs on my wishlist for christmas and today I finally, finally watched it. And boy am I glad I did. It has such a fairy tale quality to it while being very hard-hitting as social commentary and a horror movie. Thank you for making this review.

  • @gavinhenderson7250
    @gavinhenderson7250 3 роки тому +6

    Wasn't expecting Wes Lavigne but I'm glad we got it.

  • @JessieSamanthaEmily
    @JessieSamanthaEmily 3 роки тому +4

    I didn't know this movie before, but I saw that you made this and just watched it today before watching this. Such a great movie! Spooky in many ways and a great story. Happy Halloween!

  • @AntiSocialExtrovert323
    @AntiSocialExtrovert323 Рік тому

    thank you for making this!! i just saw this movie and loved it. you did such a good breakdown of it + it's fascinating (and tragic) background.

  • @MoxieMcMurder
    @MoxieMcMurder 3 роки тому +4

    I love The People Under the Stairs! It's one of my favourite Wes Craven films too. Great breakdown. 🎬

  • @roxanarama
    @roxanarama 3 роки тому +9

    never seen it but now im super excited to. thanks for the recommendation! great video as always

  • @AmandaabnamA
    @AmandaabnamA 3 роки тому +4

    Loved this moved since I was a kid. Glad to see it appreciated

  • @CBT5777
    @CBT5777 7 місяців тому

    This horror movie is so underrated. Saw it when it first came out but didn't really get its brilliance until the second time I watched it.

  • @maggiephilson1667
    @maggiephilson1667 3 роки тому

    I love that you did a video on The People Under the Stairs. Love that movie. Such an underrated film.

  • @ahgababy
    @ahgababy Рік тому

    I was looking for videos of yours I hadn’t watched yet but I think I’ll have to stop after your spoiler warning because it sounds like such a good movie!

  • @Number_6ix
    @Number_6ix 3 роки тому

    Oh my god, I haven’t seen this movie in ages, literally since I was a kid (80’s baby speaking here) and it’s just now dawned on me that the villains are played by Ed and Nadine (from Twin Peaks!)!! This made me so weirdly happy, thanks for the trip down memory lane! And excellent work, as always! 😊

  • @apizzathatgiantforthesimpl5191
    @apizzathatgiantforthesimpl5191 3 роки тому +3

    YES!!!!!! This movie is soooo underrated.

  • @hey4506
    @hey4506 3 роки тому +5

    Wake up babe the new Yhara video dropped

  • @velcro-is-a-rip-off
    @velcro-is-a-rip-off 3 роки тому

    This movie use to come on in the middle of the night when I was a middle schooler in the 90s. I was absolutely terrified, but watched it every time it came on.

  • @marvel096
    @marvel096 3 роки тому

    Oh my god Yhara! You just unlocked a memory, I remember I watched this on tv but I didn’t know the title. Thank you so much!!

  • @Shewhospeakesinverse
    @Shewhospeakesinverse 3 роки тому +1

    The Moment i saw the the title and people in the stairs i clicked immediately. I saw the movie on my local tv channels Saturday morning October horror movie marathons and its been more than a decade since that its always stuck with me and Is probably my favorite horror movie

  • @katiebarber2223
    @katiebarber2223 Рік тому

    Like how you broke it down ❤ this movie scared the crap out of me as a kid but adult reality

  • @seiruhig
    @seiruhig 3 роки тому +1

    I watched the movie the other day after seeing the first couple of minutes of your video and it was a very interesting horror movie!!! I love your channel and the topics that you choose

  • @thurmanstevenson5692
    @thurmanstevenson5692 3 роки тому +2

    I feel like I saw this movie late one night but it was so long ago I can’t remember it

  • @anniee5487
    @anniee5487 2 місяці тому

    watched this movie for the first time today! it was amazing! i watched this video 3 years ago when it came out and i dont know why i didnt drag my ass to see it sooner

  • @twiceshy9773
    @twiceshy9773 2 роки тому

    this was my fave movie as a kid!! lol I always wanted a house with a hidden maze and an oldschool white dress...and some tarot cards

  • @mattkelley8564
    @mattkelley8564 3 роки тому +1

    Funny how I rewatched this like two days ago. Good timing.

  • @reese9381
    @reese9381 3 роки тому +3

    i fucking love people under the stairs thank you for making this

  • @synesthesia.aesthetic
    @synesthesia.aesthetic 2 роки тому

    Thank you for sharing your analysis and perspective 🙏

  • @Emily-ek1sw
    @Emily-ek1sw 3 роки тому

    Stopped to watch the movie and came back. Never even heard of it. Thank you!

  • @lucyg2677
    @lucyg2677 3 роки тому +3

    I loved this movie as a kid and I wasn’t a horror lover at all. I haven’t seen it for years.

  • @isabelstewart8443
    @isabelstewart8443 3 роки тому +1

    Fun to see that Mommy and Daddy are played by Nadine and Big Ed from Twin Peaks!

  • @louiserottweiler5599
    @louiserottweiler5599 3 роки тому

    Your channel is severely underrated!!

  • @carly7522
    @carly7522 3 роки тому +4

    This was awesome and deeply depressing. Gonna go find this movie

  • @frettymercury
    @frettymercury 3 роки тому +1

    I HAVEN'T WATCHED THE VIDEO YET BUT THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL TIME AND I'M SO SO SO GLAD YOU MADE A VIDEO ABOUT IT AAAAAAHHH ^_^ - K IMA WATCH NOW THX

    • @frettymercury
      @frettymercury 3 роки тому

      UPDATE: I WATCHED THE VIDEO AND IT IS EVERYTHINGGGGG, YOU NAILED THE EXPLANATION OF THE THEMES SO WELL. this movie is so culturally important, and was one of my first glimpses into wealth disparity as a kid (lord knows i wasn't learning about it in high school). great example of art as a mirror to reality, and i hope more people see it after watching this. Cheers

  • @niles2150
    @niles2150 3 роки тому

    I finally saw this movie and used this as a chaser. You hit every nail on the head, I loved The People Under The Stars. Brava. One thing though, I think Bill Cobbs is still around.

  • @xXYourShadowDaniXx
    @xXYourShadowDaniXx 3 роки тому +1

    Hey F.D Signifiers "Break Bread" brought me here, love people under the stairs, hate landlords, love your content!

  • @kristinaland
    @kristinaland 3 роки тому

    All I remember from this movie is mommy and daddy (who completely haunted my dreams). I can’t remember anything else of this movie so I’ll have to watch this again! Thank you for your video (I had no idea it’s getting a remake)

  • @Neimi_Lelnuie
    @Neimi_Lelnuie 3 роки тому +2

    Alright. I watched it thank you for recommending it to us :)

  • @leenviolite8255
    @leenviolite8255 3 роки тому +1

    YHARA IS HERE FOR HALLOWEEN YES

  • @nessazee
    @nessazee 3 роки тому +1

    Okay I have to stop because I haven’t seen this movie yet. But I’m adding it to my list asap!

  • @demonsita7931
    @demonsita7931 3 роки тому

    leaving the video to go watch it before the spoilers bc you’ve convinced me

  • @seandolan9393
    @seandolan9393 3 роки тому +1

    keep up your incredible work. cheers!

  • @boaz1353
    @boaz1353 3 роки тому +1

    the most iconic thumbnail i canttt

  • @angiepangie989
    @angiepangie989 2 роки тому

    Who are you and where did you come from?! I've just spent three hours binging on your videos and I'm not about movie review UA-camrs but your content hits different. You go deep and get into those seemingly meaningless details. I'm here for it!

  • @julphines
    @julphines 3 роки тому

    I definitely use this channel as a what to watch guide.

  • @woahbro6604
    @woahbro6604 3 роки тому

    brb gonna go watch the movie, you have me intrigued!! What a fantastic movie and video! I really enjoyed watching it and it is so important that it is still relevant!

  • @joyg2526
    @joyg2526 3 роки тому +4

    If you lived through the 80s it didn't seem dystopian, it seemed fun. Parents were never home so you were on your own to go to the mall, arcades, theaters, parties, concerts etc. With no social media/internet/cell phone cameras, unless you did something MONUMENTALLY stupid there'd be no long term consequences. Cable TV was just starting to pop, so we could watch the movie channels and later the new music tv. If you were one of the cool kids who fit the social norms, with parents that had some disposable income life was great. Not so much if you were were anything else, but there was still fun to be had...
    It's not until we look back as adults in hindsight that you could see reality for what it was.

    • @VeganAtheistWeirdo
      @VeganAtheistWeirdo 3 роки тому +2

      Gen-Xer here, can confirm, we didn't even know it was the beginning of the end. I think with my personal group of friends, we only really started to recognize what was happening in the 90s. Probably not a coincidence that this was when we all started college.
      Anyway, I remember seeing this movie in the theater and being so surprised by it, because it wasn't what I expected at all. First, it wasn't what I expected because it had this cheesy humor/camp thing that I wasn't prepared for -- I thought it was going to be straight horror (don't ask me why, with a title like that). Then as the themes revealed themselves, I remember being so invested in Fool's errand 🤣 and it was so much more compelling than just a silly slasher flick.
      I'm not exactly a fan of the trend of "rebooting" and remaking everything instead of releasing new original content, and I don't necessarily think this one needed to be remade, but I'm glad that the idea has at least brought attention to an old favorite that pulled no punches regarding class consciousness, racism and capitalism. Before talk of the remake, it would have been easy to convince myself that I'd imagined this movie... no one ever talked about it until this year.

    • @joyg2526
      @joyg2526 3 роки тому +1

      @@VeganAtheistWeirdo Yeah, never heard anyone mention it till recently. People are in the mood to hear the message.

  • @tessatea333
    @tessatea333 3 роки тому

    your videos are always so good and this one was *chef's kiss* love it sm thank you!!!!

  • @lemontales5859
    @lemontales5859 3 роки тому

    I remember watching this movie at school in my library in the 5th grade.

  • @Shoobadawoop
    @Shoobadawoop 3 роки тому

    I have a dvd combo that has this movie and Shocker. Such a good movie that is highly underrated!!

  • @gorgannan5177
    @gorgannan5177 3 роки тому +5

    Haven't watched the video yet, but that title is an instant click from me.

  • @Alexandra-gk6lo
    @Alexandra-gk6lo 3 роки тому +2

    Amazing video! I really need to buy the DVD. Hope you'll cover Black Christmas later in the holiday season :)

  • @chelsi.mp4
    @chelsi.mp4 3 роки тому

    Here because your music taste is immaculate!!

  • @flaviac6556
    @flaviac6556 3 роки тому +4

    just when the world needed her

  • @ayeilak5
    @ayeilak5 2 роки тому

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️I love this movie seen it mad times. Thank you for doing a video about it. ❤️❤️❤️

  • @Telecritter78
    @Telecritter78 Рік тому

    One thing that was a huge influence on this movie was that the Rodney King riots happened during filming and Wes, being the person he was, wanted to lean into the scripts depiction of factors (other than the beating and the verdict) that led to something like that happening. Incidentally, Wes was also one of the few people in Hollywood Rose McGowan specifically cleared as “NOT a creep”. Just sayin’

  • @RDawn
    @RDawn 3 роки тому

    thanks for bringing this movie to my attention. Especially since it will be getting a remake. I'm glad I was able to watch it without influence (other than i know you liked it)

  • @aderyn7600
    @aderyn7600 3 роки тому

    i paused this to go watch the movie, and damn, i love this movie now.

  • @astabaker9421
    @astabaker9421 3 роки тому

    Perfect video essay! The only way it could be better if is section titles were said aloud in addition to the title cards then I could hear them while doing housework without having to look over at the screen

  • @enterfromthesky
    @enterfromthesky 3 роки тому +1

    I'm gonna be watching this, thank yaaa

  • @Aster_Risk
    @Aster_Risk 3 роки тому +2

    Another of my favorite horror films that people somehow don't realize is political just like Candyman.

  • @SerpentineDeity
    @SerpentineDeity 10 місяців тому

    Mommy's actress was supreme. You know they did their job when you actually cheer when they are injured. I think Wes has some weird past to even come up with this...😅

  • @princessdiana1229
    @princessdiana1229 3 роки тому +6

    ive never been this early before omg

  • @mori2039
    @mori2039 3 роки тому +3

    NOOOO NOT MY FAVORITE HORROR MOVIE
    AND SO UNDERRATED TOO, only the upper class know

  • @aeolia80
    @aeolia80 3 роки тому +1

    haha, I just realized who the actress that plays Alice is, lol, from My So Called Life. I think she's like married to a Count or a Duke now, lol

  • @criticalhit009
    @criticalhit009 3 роки тому

    Excited to watch this movie, and this video once I finish it!

  • @yararivera2909
    @yararivera2909 3 роки тому

    this is truly terrifying

  • @emilycrow8278
    @emilycrow8278 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for this hidden treasure. I'm surprised this didn't hold up in the same cult classic as The Goonies did to be honest.