Jacob's Ladder

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1:47

Jacob's Ladder

R

1990

1h 53m

Horror

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rapidly falls apart as the world and people around him morph and twist into disturbing images. His girlfriend, Jezzie (Elizabeth Peña), and ex-wife, Sarah (Patricia Kalember), try to help, but to little avail. Even Singer's chiropractor friend, Louis (Danny Aiello), fails to reach him as he descends into madness.

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Critics Consensus

Even with its disorienting leaps of logic and structure, Jacob's Ladder is an engrossing, nerve-shattering experience.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Aug 23, 2014

4/4

For hours and days after you've seen it, you'll still be putting it together in your head. While all of it is gripping, it doesn't come together until the final scene, which is jolting, transcendent, unexpected yet inevitable.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Aug 23, 2014

3/4

As long as the movie refuses to commit itself, it is a truly creepy, nerve-jangling experience.

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Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Times

Aug 23, 2014

In the best puzzle movies, the pieces fit -- eventually. But if you try to piece together Jacob's Ladder, all you get for your trouble is more pieces.

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Jim Emerson

Orange County Register

Feb 4, 2026

In the end, there's previous little solid ground for this "Ladder" to rest upon.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 22, 2023

4/5

Manages to deliver nightmarish imagery, psychological torment, and a gripping relationship drama all wrapped up in a frightening and mysterious package.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Dec 1, 2022

This is gibberish. [Full review in Spanish]

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B P

@Bradster69 Sep 20, 2026

Definitely Recommend It

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 5, 2026

Jacob's Ladder = a *4* star movie.

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penzodo T

@RT15757770 Aug 10, 2026

It's that one type of movie you watch one time and you never forget.

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Kris T

@RT26407207 Jul 30, 2026

The movie was ok. I watched it becasue I stumble upon post in Instagram that said Silent Hill was based big time on this movie, however I found just very very little similarities which did not enchant me. Watch it at home and for free - you will not regret it. If you have to pay for it - there are plenty better 90s movies to spend your money on.

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Jun 16, 2026

An excellent movie that I rarely watch. It depresses me like no other movie can.

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Ben B.

@suikofreak412 Jun 12, 2026

Solid. I'd watch it again.

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Adrian Lyne

Director

Tim Robbins

Jacob Singer

Elizabeth Peña

Jezebel

Danny Aiello

Louis

Matt Craven

Michael

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Paul

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Jacob's Ladder: Trailer 1

1:47

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Synopsis

After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rapidly falls apart as the world and people around him morph and twist into disturbing images. His girlfriend, Jezzie (Elizabeth Peña), and ex-wife, Sarah (Patricia Kalember), try to help, but to little avail. Even Singer's chiropractor friend, Louis (Danny Aiello), fails to reach him as he descends into madness.

Director: Adrian Lyne
Producer: Alan Marshall
Screenwriter: Bruce Joel Rubin
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.4K
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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