Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder Image
See the trailer
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Tim Robbins
  • Summary: The life of a traumatized Vietnam vet. begins to unravel as the line between reality and nightmarish visions becomes blurred.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    91
    Jacob's Ladder is also undeniably spooky. It creates and maintains a mood of paranoia, its special visual effects are original and nightmarish, and it has at least three sequences as haunting as anything I've seen in some time. [2 Nov 1990, p.9]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    80
    Thanks to a remarkable script by Bruce Joel Rubin and the directorial skills of Adrian Lyne, this works as both a highly effective stream-of-consciousness puzzle thriller offering the viewer not one but many "solutions" and an emotionally persuasive statement about the plight of many American vets who fought in Vietnam.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Nathan
    60
    Despite all the confusion, it's a simple case of the script being too ambitious. It may emulate a man experiencing flashbacks, but it doesn't help the audience.
  4. Time
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    30
    Director Adrian Lyne has encapsulated the cliches of three decades in a single dreadful and hysterical movie.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Subject98
    10
    One of the few psychological horror films I've seen done really well. It's not your traditional kind of horror movie where the emphasis is on jump scares and freaking you out with gory imagery, though those things are present. This one follows a war veteran as his deeply rooted trauma slowly takes hold of him after returning home. I don't wanna spoil anything though as the plot takes a lot of twists and dips. See it.… Expand
  2. Boffboff
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you think its about flashback caused by the war YOU ARE WRONG! If you think this movie is about paranoia, YOU ARE WRONG ! The movie is about the human mind ! the story examines the undetermined mystery of death. in my opinion jacob's ladder was the prototype for movies like "the matrix", "stay" or "the 13th floor".
    If you are searching for an simple horror movie or thriller then you you shouldn't watch jacob's ladder. The movie is even more complex than the most of you might think. Plz don't rate this movie if you don't get the (real) conclusion.    … Expand
  3. alfaalex101
    8
    I'm going to be honest. I watch scary movies so I can make of them with my brother. Scary movies ought to be the most mind numbing and predictable genre out there, save for the jock action movie's where the script is replaced by explosions, lens flare, jets, grunting and sparks. But when we started watching this movie, right from the get go we knew we chose the wrong movie. I don't want to ruin the movie but here are a few things I liked about it. The movie helps you understand and sympathize with the protagonist suffering from PTSD, almost being able to justify his outbursts while at the same time remembering that he indeed is crazy. There are plenty of scares in this movie that will make you stop the movie or glance at your partner and say "...Man...That..was F****ED UP! WHAT THE FU**!". There are quiet a few scenes that will be branded into your memory for a long time to come, unlike other forgettable movies. This movie won't be one to leave you traumatized or anything but it will for sure be worth your time. Turn up the volume by the way because dialogue can be a little recessed. Oh and grab some food. I'm definably going to watch this movie again (something I RARELY ever do) with my friends.… Expand
  4. ryancarroll88
    7
    A surprisingly effective atmospheric thriller whose visual artistry has influenced the horror genre both in movies (Asian horror) and video games (Silent Hill, definitely). Still, the pacing of the movie is a bit off, as there are parts that I felt could have been left out, and I didn't think Tim Robbins was a good choice for the role. On top of that, I pretty much predicted the ending before even watching, but luckily the director was smart enough not to make it a blatant twist, but rather braces the viewer for the revelation, suggesting it throughout the movie (a rare case for thrillers) Also, wtf - Jason Alexander and Macauly Culkin?… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

Trailers

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 73
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  5. The Croods
    Metascore: 55
  6. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 55
  7. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  8. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  9. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  10. Olympus Has Fallen
    Metascore: 41
  11. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »