Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Kernel Score: 82% · 1,837 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Horror
Released: 1990-11-02
Runtime: 113 minutes
Where to watch Jacob's Ladder
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Jacob's Ladder parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Jacob's Ladder is an R-rated psychological horror about a Vietnam veteran experiencing disturbing hallucinations tied to PTSD.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes disturbing hallucinations, a car bomb, and unsettling demon imagery consistent with its R-rated horror classification.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Keywords reference chemist and experiment elements suggesting drug-related plot points tied to the veteran's trauma.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Jacob's Ladder
If you liked Jacob's Ladder, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Repulsion (1965) — 85%
- Donnie Darko (2001) — 87%
- Shutter Island (2010) — 91%
- Black Swan (2010) — 86%
- 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) — 77%
- Videodrome (1983) — 83%
- Revoir Paris (2022) — 77%
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989) — 79%
Director
Adrian Lyne
Cast
- Tim Robbins as Jacob
- Elizabeth Peña as Jezzie
- Danny Aiello as Louis
- Matt Craven as Michael
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Paul
- Jason Alexander as Geary
- Patricia Kalember as Sarah
- Eriq La Salle as Frank
- Ving Rhames as George
- Brian Tarantina as Doug
Jacob's Ladder FAQ
Is Jacob's Ladder good?
Jacob's Ladder has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,837 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Jacob's Ladder?
In the US you can stream Jacob's Ladder on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Jacob's Ladder OK for kids?
Jacob's Ladder is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Jacob's Ladder is an R-rated psychological horror about a Vietnam veteran experiencing disturbing hallucinations tied to PTSD.
What movies are like Jacob's Ladder?
If you liked Jacob's Ladder, try Repulsion, Donnie Darko, Shutter Island and Black Swan.