Jacob's Ladder
Performance & Direction: Jacob's Ladder Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Jacob's Ladder (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Jacob's Ladder features a noteworthy lineup led by Tim Robbins . Supported by the likes of Elizabeth Peña and Danny Aiello , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Jacob's Ladder
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1990, Jacob's Ladder is a Drama, Mystery, Horror film directed by Adrian Lyne. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tim Robbins.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. 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. The screenplay takes time to develop Tim Robbins's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Tim Robbins's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Jacob's Ladder
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Adrian Lyne, Jacob's Ladder resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Tim Robbins, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Jacob's Ladder reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Jacob's Ladder?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Tim Robbins or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Jacob's Ladder
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $25.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $26.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Jacob's Ladder Budget
The estimated production budget for Jacob's Ladder is $25.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Jacob's Ladder
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Where to Watch Jacob's Ladder Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoJacob's Ladder Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about Jacob's Ladder age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Jacob's Ladder is 113 minutes (1h 53m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Jacob's Ladder is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1990 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacob's Ladder worth watching?
Jacob's Ladder is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Jacob's Ladder parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Jacob's Ladder identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Jacob's Ladder?
The total duration of Jacob's Ladder is 113 minutes, which is approximately 1h 53m long.
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Critic Reviews for Jacob's Ladder
Trippy. No, you probably didn't read that right. I meant to write it in a way that sounded more like a stoner. Tripppy? Tttttrrrrrriiiippppppyyyyy, duuuude. Something like that. Anyway, I love Tim Robbins as an actor and you should take that statement into consideration when I say that this is one of his better films. What I can say is that a doctor goes to Vietnam, and then leaves his wife, marries someone else becomes a Postal Employee, and that is about as much as I can honestly say without throwing the spoiler alert up. It is one of those movies where everything you love about the plot would be a red flag on the spoiler radar... so watch it, enjoy it, you won't be disappointed. And you will see what I am talking about with the spoilers when you get there.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
