Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent remake skips character in favor of shocks.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Where to Watch
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Jacob's Ladder (2019)
What's the Story?
JACOB'S LADDER focuses on Jacob Singer (Michael Ealy), who served as a medic in Afghanistan, where he was unable to save the life of his brother. Back home, he works as a trauma surgeon in a VA hospital and has a happy home life with his wife, Samantha (Nicole Beharie), and their child. Then a strange man approaches Jacob and tells him that his brother, Ike (Jesse Williams), is still alive. Jacob tracks Ike down and finds that he's addicted to an experimental drug called HDA, which apparently helps block out painful memories of war. Jacob brings Ike back home but soon starts experiencing his own weird hallucinations -- and before long he has no idea what's real and what's in his head. Can Jacob figure out what's going on before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
This remake of the 1990 psychological horror movie makes a half-hearted stab at changing up the story, but in the end it just feels listless, without the original's disturbing existential scope. That movie had a kind of interior quality that made the events feel as if they were happening to the character like a nightmare. The new Jacob's Ladder feels mainly exterior, as if all the shocks were set up as jump scares aimed at the audience, rather than the character. As a result, Ealy can only react to things, and he never manages to find an emotional center to his character; his Jacob is just constantly concerned.
Diversifying the characters was a welcome decision, and adding a brother character to the mix was, too -- if only there had been more of a connection. The two men don't seem to have ever even met before. Unexpectedly, in the role of Ike, Williams seems like the more dynamic actor; perhaps the movie would have been more effective if he and Ealy had switched roles. Jacob's Ladder also tries for a drastically different conclusion to the story this time around. But while the original's ending worked dramatically and emotionally, this one falls short. Again, it feels external, meant for shock purposes, and attempted without any concern for the characters or their inner logic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Jacob's Ladder's violence. How did it make you feel? How did the movie achieve this effect? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How is drug use portrayed? What are the drugs used for? Are they being abused? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How does this remake compare to the original? What changes were made?
Hoffman makes addictive experimental drugs but claims he's trying to help the veterans. Is he a bad guy, a good guy, or somewhere in between? Explain.
What does the movie have to say about war? Is it respectful to veterans?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 23, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : September 24, 2019
- Cast : Michael Ealy , Nicole Beharie , Jesse Williams
- Director : David M. Rosenthal
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some violence, sexuality and drug content
- Last updated : July 29, 2022
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