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Jacob's Ladder
1990 113 min United States of America R 18+
★7.3
Drama, Mystery, Horror
Director: Adrian Lyne
Trailers
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Description
After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer 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, and ex-wife, Sarah, try to help, but to little avail. Even Singer's chiropractor friend, Louis, fails to reach him as he descends into madness.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$26.12M
Worldwide:
$26.12M
Starring
Tim Robbins
Actor
Elizabeth Peña
Actor
Danny Aiello
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Jacob's Ladder is a highly regarded psychological horror film that blends Vietnam War trauma with metaphysical and biblical themes. While its surreal atmosphere and Tim Robbins' performance are widely praised as masterclass, some viewers find the plot's ambiguity or its pacing occasionally polarizing.
| Acting | Tim Robbins delivers a powerful and empathetic performance that serves as the emotional anchor for the film's descent into madness. | |
| Production | The film creates a suffocating, nightmarish atmosphere through its grimy depiction of New York and innovative, surreal visual effects. | |
| Theme | The narrative's philosophical and theological depth provides a rich, multi-layered experience that rewards multiple viewings and intellectual engagement. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing draws a split response: some appreciate the tight, sustained tension and hypnotic rhythm, while others find certain segments—such as the legal proceedings—tedious or poorly paced. | |
| Ending | Reactions to the resolution are divided between those who find the final twist a profound redefinition of the narrative and those who perceive it as simplistic or underdeveloped. |