THE VAULT

Jacob's Ladder (1990) Explained: Beyond the Blood

Scare Score: 7.5/100

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

The Premise

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.

Why It Terrifies Us

Categorized under Psychological Horror, Jacob's Ladder taps into fundamental fears. The 7.5/100 Scare Score is well-earned. The themes of vietnam veteran, new york city, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) continually haunt viewers long after the credits roll.

Into The Vault

Ready to dig deeper? The ScreamDesk Vault connects you to the architecture of fear.