Review of Jacob's Ladder (1990) by Thomas S — 10 Feb 2013

A psychological horror film that cleverly mixes genuine suspense with equally disturbing imagery without the reliance on cheap genre conventions. Tim Robbins does an admirable job bringing to life the descent of Jacob Singer, a Vietnam veteran suffering from the effects of war.

The script kept me on my toes, as it's never quite clear which reality Jacob is experiencing at any given time. It's when these lines begin to blur, such as during a particularly terrifying house party, that the movie really shines.

There are a small handful of overly explanatory moments shoehorned into the latter half, but it's a rare misstep that I'm willing to overlook. Jacob's Ladder is worth watching for the atmosphere alone, which has come to influence many in the years since its release.