Jacob's Ladder (1990) - Mind-Bending Film | Filmiway

Jacob's Ladder

1990•Adrian Lyne•120 min•R

The Experience

A Vietnam veteran suffers from severe dissociation and demonic hallucinations as he struggles to decipher reality from a nightmarish descent into purgatory.

Cast & Crew

Director: Adrian Lyne

Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña

Production Details

Budget: $25 million

Box Office: $26 million

Age Rating:R
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Content Advisory

Contains: Mature Content

0:15:30 → 0:15:37
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Nudity
Moderate
0:17:50 → 0:19:10
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Nudity
High
0:32:00 → 0:33:45
🔞
Nudity
High
Viewer Discretion Advised

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INTENSITY GRAPH

Narrative Analysis
Vietnam Flashback(50%)
The Subway Demon(70%)
The Dance Floor(85%)
The Hospital Hell(95%)
The Stairs(100%)
Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Horror: 50%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Thriller: 30%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%

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CINEMATIC DNA

Genre Analysis
Horror
50%
Thriller
30%
Mystery
20%

Genre DNA Distribution

  • Horror: 50%
  • Thriller: 30%
  • Mystery: 20%

Movie Intensity Arc

  • Minute 15: Vietnam Flashback (50/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 40: The Subway Demon (70/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 65: The Dance Floor (85/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 90: The Hospital Hell (95/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 110: The Stairs (100/100 Intensity)

Community Reviews

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FAQ About Jacob's Ladder

Common questions about Jacob's Ladder and this extraordinary reality-warping story.

What are the demons chasing Jacob?

As the chiropractor explains: 'If you're frightened of dying, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, the devils are really angels freeing you.' They are manifestations of his resistance to death.

Is the government conspiracy real?

While the drug 'The Ladder' and the experiments were real in the context of the film's backstory, the conspiracy plot we see is likely part of Jacob's dying hallucination as his mind tries to rationalize his trauma.

When did Jacob actually die?

Jacob died on the operating table in Vietnam at the beginning of the movie. The entire film is his 'flash of life' before death, a purgatorial journey to accept letting go.

What is the significance of his son Gabe?

Gabe (played by Macaulay Culkin) represents Jacob's anchor to love and peace. Leading him up the stairs at the end signifies Jacob finally accepting his death and moving on.

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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team

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