Jacob's Ladder

Play trailer

1:47

Jacob's Ladder

R

1990

1h 53m

Horror

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

John Hartl

Seattle Times

08/23/2014

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.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

08/23/2014

3/4

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

Go to Full Review

Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Times

08/23/2014

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.

Go to Full Review

Jim Emerson

Orange County Register

Feb 4

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

Go to Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

09/22/2023

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

12/01/2022

This is gibberish. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

penzodo T

@RT15757770 3d

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

See more

Kris T

@RT26407207 Jul 30

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.

See more

Jason H

@RT50328122 Jun 16

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

See more

Ben B.

@suikofreak412 Jun 12

Solid. I'd watch it again.

See more

Farah R.

@Farah Jun 9

Not at all the film I expected it to be. Jacob’s Ladder is messy, bleak, and unenjoyable. Not even Tim Robbins’ acting made it better. It was pointless from start to finish.

See more

Justin T

@RT08580778 Jun 4

This is so beautifully creepy. It has a fantastic story really well told. The acting is excellent with engaging characters. I preferred the first half but that doesn’t stop it being an excellent film overall. I especially enjoyed the brilliant direction. It’s an intelligent and thoughtful psychological horror thriller.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Adrian Lyne

Director

Tim Robbins

Jacob Singer

Elizabeth Peña

Jezebel

Danny Aiello

Louis

Matt Craven

Michael

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Paul

Angel Heart

82%

81%

Angel Heart

Watchlist

The Guardian

25%

32%

The Guardian

Watchlist

Dead Ringers

86%

82%

Dead Ringers

Watchlist

Danika

29%

33%

Danika

Watchlist

Ghost Story

28%

46%

Ghost Story

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Dani Bethea, Pop Culture Writer and Horror Connoisseur

The Comic-Con is Coming!

Keanu & Zeta to Head Lyne’s Lana Turner Tale

Jacob's Ladder: Trailer 1

1:47

View more videos

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings