Jacob's Ladder

1990, Horror/Mystery & thriller, 1h 53m

67 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

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

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Jacob's Ladder Photos

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Horror, Mystery & thriller, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Adrian Lyne
  • Producer:
    Alan Marshall
  • Writer:
    Bruce Joel Rubin
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $24.8M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    TriStar Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc.
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SR

Cast & Crew

Tim Robbins
Jacob Singer
Elizabeth Peña
Jezebel
Danny Aiello
Louis
Matt Craven
Michael
Pruitt Taylor Vince
Paul
Jason Alexander
Geary
Patricia Kalember
Sarah
Eriq La Salle
Frank
Ving Rhames
George
Brian Tarantina
Doug
Anthony Alessandro
Rod
Brent Hinkley
Jerry
Macaulay Culkin
Gabe (uncredited)
Adrian Lyne
Director
Mario Kassar
Executive Producer
Andrew G. Vajna
Executive Producer
Alan Marshall
Producer
Maurice Jarre
Original Music
Jeffrey Kimball
Cinematography
Ernst Rolf
Film Editing
Risa Bramon Garcia
Casting
Billy Hopkins
Casting
Heidi Levitt
Casting
Joseph P. Reidy
First Assistant Director
Bruce Joel Rubin
Screenwriter
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Jacob's Ladder

All Critics (67) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (18)
Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… John Hartl Seattle Times Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Full Review… Peter Rainer Los Angeles Times Full Review… Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Full Review… Christopher Null Austin Chronicle Full Review… Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz Full Review… Emma Wolfe SpookyAstronauts Full Review… Ed Travis Hollywood Jesus Full Review… Manuela Lazic The Ringer Full Review… Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Full Review… Brian Costello Common Sense Media
View All Critic Reviews (67)

Audience Reviews for Jacob's Ladder

  • Sep 17, 2015
    One of the most beautiful films ever put to print. Jacob's Ladder is American surrealism in motion, but the aesthetic is not quite supported by its story. There is so much potential here for a true masterpiece, but what we're given, though wholly entertaining, comes just shy of striking distance. The cast is very consistent as is the direction, but the plot offers so much unfulfilled brilliance that what we're left comes out as slightly underwhelming.
    Paris S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 23, 2014
    A great take on the Psychological Horror genre, Jacob's Ladder does almost everything right asides from a mild confusing second act and an unnecessary preachy drug twist at the end. Has great visual madness to spook you, touching moments, great presence by Tim Robbins and an interesting story that grabs your attention right from the start.
    Francisco G Super Reviewer
  • Oct 29, 2013
    One word: mindfuck. This movie is fantastic, though disturbing at times. There are very few movies that made need to know what happens next. I was hooked less than 10 minutes in. I couldn't stop watching. Awesome.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 03, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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