Jacob's Ladder poster

Jacob's Ladder

"The most frightening thing about Jacob Singer's nightmare is that he isn't dreaming."

R 1990 · 1h 53m · Drama, Horror, Mystery

Starring Tim Robbins · Elizabeth Peña · Danny Aiello

Available on Apple TV Store

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Prices last updated April 29, 2026. Pricing and availability may vary by region.

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About

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.

Theatrical

Nov 2, 1990

Box Office

$26.1M

Budget

$25.0M

Return

1.0x

DVD / Blu-ray

Oct 14, 2025

Theaters

1

Director

Adrian Lyne

Producers

Bruce Joel Rubin, Alan Marshall, Andrew G. Vajna

Music

Maurice Jarre

Studio

Carolco Pictures

Themes

new york city vietnam veteran post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) 1970s subway experiment paranoia nightmare hallucination car bomb grief memory chemist demon postal worker figment of imagination oneiric chiropractor

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Quotes

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A Playful Exchange Between Friends

Jacob You know you look like an angel, Louie? Like an overgrown cherub. Anyone ever tell you that?

Louis Yeah, you. Every time you see me.

[smiling]

Jacob You're a lifesaver, Louie.

Louis Yeah, I know.

[smiling]

Perceptions of Prison and War Experience

Michael I'd only been in jail 13 hours, I thought Nam couldn't be any worse.

Jacob Shows how little you knew.

Michael Yeah, really.

Consequences of Choices and Health Concerns

Louis Well, you've done it to yourself this time, haven't you?

Jacob Am I dying, Louie?

Louis From a slipped disk? That'll be a first.

Confrontation Between Life and Death

Jacob Jezzie? Get me out of here.

Evil Doctor Where do you want to go?

Jacob Home.

Evil Doctor Home? This is your home. You're dead.

Jacob Dead? No. I just hurt my back, I'm not dead.

Evil Doctor What are you, then?

Jacob I'm alive.

Evil Doctor Then what are you doing here?

Cast

Full credits →

Elizabeth Peña

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Jason Alexander

Patricia Kalember

Ving Rhames

Brian Tarantina

Anthony Alessandro

S. Epatha Merkerson

Suzanne Shepherd

Hospital Receptionist

Gloria Irizarry

Mrs. Carmichael

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