If You Liked the TV Series “Lost”, Then You Definitely Need to Watch the Next Film in the Series.
It’s been over 15 years since Lost concluded its storied run on television. While the show could be frustratingly slow in revealing its secrets, it remains one of the best television shows of the modern era—and one of the most influential, with numerous other series employing a similar “mystery box” concept and shuffled timeline.
Fans of the series have never stopped searching for a movie that delivers the same surprises and touching, emotionally charged storytelling (if that sounds like you, you’ve probably already seen all those similar movies that create a similar atmosphere ), so let me suggest a movie that fits that description perfectly: Jacob’s Ladder , a 1990 psychological thriller starring Tim Robbins.
Why Jacob’s Ladder Has a Lost Ladder Feel
At first glance, Jacob’s Ladder may not seem much like the gripping, character-driven sci-fi plot of Lost —but dig deeper, and the plot and tonal parallels become apparent. In the film, Jacob Singer (Robbins) is a Vietnam War veteran living in Brooklyn in 1975, four years after a horrific incident in his unit that ended with Jacob being bayoneted. Haunted by memories of his dead son and his experiences in the war, Jacob descends into a living nightmare, filled with hallucinations of monstrous figures. But something utterly mysterious is afoot, and while the ending clearly predates Lost’s infamous finale, there are also numerous visual references.
Jacob’s Ladder is a horror film, and it’s certainly scarier and more unsettling than Lost , which was more philosophical and even optimistic in its approach. But the way Jacob’s reality is overshadowed by a growing sense of mystery and dread will be very reminiscent of the early seasons of Lost , when the Others and Luke were ominous mirages lurking in the shadows of that mysterious island. And the film’s climax—and its message that sometimes the devils we perceive as attacking us are actually angels trying to save us—will resonate with anyone who has fully engaged with Jack Shephard’s inner turmoil (and with Lost’s overarching themes of redemption and repentance).
Finally, it’s worth noting Jacob’s Ladder’s nonlinear approach to time, echoing the flashbacks, flashforwards, and moments that mirror the events of the TV series Lost . As Jacob’s life descends into ever-more hellish chaos, his perception of time becomes distorted and blurred, and the past (and alternate futures) intrude into the present in disorienting ways. As in the show, these flashes from Jacob’s life gradually paint a picture of his true present and his ultimate destiny. It’s a tense and often terrifying film, but fans of Lost will love it. Jacob’s Ladder is available to stream on Fubo or rent on Prime Video .
If you like the TV series “Lost”, check out the other movies too.
Want more mysterious islands, complex sci-fi concepts, and stories of survival against supernatural forces? Here are some more films for fans of the Lost series .
Sweetheart (2019)
A deserted island? Check. A mysterious monster? Check. Imperfect people hiding secrets? Check. When her boat sinks, Jenn (Kiersey Clemons) finds herself stranded on an island where the only signs of human presence are old graves. That night, she’s attacked by a terrifying sea monster. When several of her friends, also survivors of the disaster, wash up on the beach, they disbelieve Jenn’s warnings, and she begins to question whether she can trust them. If you enjoyed the survival aspect of Lost , coupled with the complex (and often hidden) relationships between the characters, you’ll love Sweetheart . Rent Sweetheart on Prime Video .
The Maze Runner (2014)
If you’re looking for more stories about a group of strangers trapped in an isolated and eerie wilderness with a mystery to solve, this adaptation of James Dashner’s 2014 novel is for you. After waking up with no memory, teenager Thomas finds himself in the Glade, where the only possible escape is through a dense labyrinth. The labyrinth is patrolled by dangerous biomechanical creatures called Grievers. Determined to escape, Thomas and a group of other imprisoned teenagers must gather clues about the labyrinth’s workings and ultimately uncover what’s really going on. Like the TV series “Lost,” it features a mysterious organization, seemingly abandoned sites, and a growing series of unexpected plot twists. Rent “The Maze Runner” on Prime Video .
The Beach (2000)
Part of what drew people to Lost was the basic plot itself—a group of strangers crash-land on an island and must figure out how to survive. “The Beach” isn’t a detective story, but it touches on a very human element, as a group of young travelers (led by a young Leonardo DiCaprio) find their way to a pristine, secluded beach where a group of people have created a makeshift community, striving to keep the idyllic place a secret. The “Others” here are drug dealers who tolerate the group near their farms, while the greatest danger is the slow breakdown of order among the islanders themselves. If your favorite part of “Lost” was the division of the survivors into factions, the “Tails” and the “Others,” check this out. Rent “The Beach” on Prime Video .
https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Leonardo-DiCaprio/dp/B000I9X6BS
Primer (2004)
Lost probably drew you in with its hints of mystery set against the backdrop of the human drama created by a group of plane crash survivors harboring many secrets, but it gradually evolved into a sci-fi series about time travel and a host of other speculative ideas. If you’re looking to puzzle over a complex time travel story rooted in the imperfections of humanity and emotionally driven bad decisions, watch Primer : when two engineers discover a limited way to travel back in time, they begin experimenting—but when exactly the experiments began and which version of the character you’re seeing at any given moment soon becomes a complex mystery (seriously, there are spreadsheets online that try to figure it all out). Rent Primer on Prime Video .
The Village (2004)
The Village received negative reviews upon its release, but if you enjoy the eerie atmosphere and shocking revelations of Lost , M. Night Shyamalan’s film is a great choice. In an isolated 19th-century village, residents keep a close eye on nameless monsters lurking in the surrounding woods. When one of the villagers is gravely injured, blind Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) ventures into the forest to reach the sinister, forbidden “towns” and secure a cure. A series of revelations reveal the secrets of the closed community in classic Shyamalan style, and the origins of the settlement echo the founding of the DHARMA Initiative, a touch that fans of Lost will appreciate. Rent The Village on Prime Video .