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Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow ... see more see more... , Patricia Clarkson , Emily Mortimer , Jackie Earle Haley

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio team up for a fourth time for this adaptation of Shutter Island, a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River). The film opens in 1954 as World War II veteran and curre... read more read more...nt federal marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner, Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), ferry to Shutter Island, a water-bound mental hospital housing the criminally insane. They have been asked to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer), a patient admitted to the asylum after she murdered her three children. As Teddy quizzes Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), the head of the institution, he begins to suspect that the authorities in charge might not be giving him the whole truth, and that a terrible fate may befall all the patients in the spooky Ward C -- a unit devoted to the most heinous of the hospital's inmates. Complicating matters further, Teddy has a secret of his own -- the arsonist who murdered his wife is incarcerated on Shutter Island. Driven to confront his wife's killer, and stranded on the island because of a hurricane, Teddy must unravel the secrets of the eerie place before succumbing to his own madness. Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley round out the supporting cast. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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73% liked it

2,223,837 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

241 critics

R, 2 hr. 17 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: February 19, 2010

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DVD Release Date: June 8, 2010

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Stats: 56,227 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (56,227)

  • jmanard52
    June 23, 2010
    jmanard52
    Solid film. Once they start questioning things it pretty much is clear that is the way they are going to go. Overall solid acting from Dicaprio, Kingsley and Ruffalo.
  • aquateen2
    May 4, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    It does have a few flaws and it's beyond extremely silly but honestly I really enjoyed Shutter Island. It has some of the best horror/thriller atmospheric set ups that i've probably ever experienced from... read more a film of it's genre. This particular film out of everything Scorsese has done; is certainly the most confusing mainly due it's many twists and turns. Not his best, but deserves a huge amount more credit than it gets.
  • fb1463751009
    March 9, 2012
    fb1463751009
    A lot of people have flak against this movie for its predictable ending. However, the movie is much more than it seems much like the plot is. If looked into deeply, it is a much more satisfying experience. Leonardo DiCaprio is great as usual. Martin Scorsese's direction is excell... read moreently done.
  • DrZeek
    November 23, 2011
    DrZeek
    Teddy Daniels: Pull it together Teddy.

    A well made thriller from director Martin Scorsese. This is essentially a really well made B-movie, in the same realm as his last big Hollywood thriller, Cape Fear, the remake from back in 91, which followed Goodfellas. Here, Scorsese clear... read morely isn't working to make a monumental film to surpass the success he had with The Departed; he's instead made a film that sets out to unnerve its viewers as they try to unravel the mysteries surrounding the plot, and he does so by adding amazing art direction and a superb cast into the mix.

    Scorsese's new millennium go to guy Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Teddy Daniels. He and his partner Chuck, played by Mark Ruffalo, are "duly appointed federal marshals" from Boston, and they are headed to an insane asylum for criminals on an island off the coast to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Upon arrival, they are relieved of their weapons and given the stink eye by almost everyone as they attempt to probe deeper into the situation.

    Dr. John Cawley: We don't know how she got out of her room. It's as if she evaporated, straight through the walls.

    As the marshals investigate, surveying the grounds, interviewing staff and patients, a hurricane moves through the island, making a trip home very difficult, more so once the power goes out, releasing many of the prisoners. Adding even more to this are the various reveals of not only the possible intentions of the workers on the island, but of the purposes for these particular marshals wanting to handle this case.

    George Noyce: Don't you get it? You're a rat in a maze.

    Some people knock Tarantino for all the various homages and references (which he gladly acknowledges) to other films that he makes in his own. As both he and Scorsese, among the many, many other filmmakers are huge film fanatics, those knockers better get on this film. Here Scorsese goes all out in making this a genre picture that reeks of impressions made by other films. Throughout this flick I got a sense of 'The Shining,' a lot of Hitchcock vibes, particularly Vertigo, many elements that I can attribute to a number of noir films, and of course The Twilight Zone. None of this hurts the film at all; the design is very specific throughout, and all of these mentioned elements only help push it into that pulpy territory.

    This is a great looking film. Set in 1954, the film captures a wonderfully creepy atmosphere throughout, made even more stylish by the presence of wonderful art direction to reflect the nature of these older mental institutions. I can also always appreciate the costumes of these times, complete with large coats and great hats.

    The trailers may set this film up as a horror flick, but there is much more mood and tension present than actual scares. It is all handled quite well as we follow Teddy's journey through this very isolated asylum. The way this film is shot certainly follows the feel of a Scorsese picture, which is always met with solid editing, keeping the flow and pace alive throughout. And the way the flashbacks and dreams introduce backstory in a creepy manner are also solid.

    Warden: If I were to sink my teeth into your eye, right now, could you stop me before I blinded you?
    Teddy Daniels: Why don't you find out?
    Warden: That's the spirit.

    Then you have all these stellar performances. DiCaprio continues to shine, providing a character with great depth, slowly wasting into madness as he seems to be being manipulated during his stay on this island. Ruffalo is again solid as his partner. A strong female cast consisting of small but important performances by Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, and Patricia Clarkson. Then you have this sweet genre cast that includes; Ghandi, Father Merrin of The Excorsist, Buffalo Bill, the Zodiac killer, Casey Jones, and Rorschach. Kidding with aliases aside, each actor present in this film shines in there roles, large or small.

    There is much to admire here, but the main flaw should be mentioned. As I watched this film, I felt very involved in the look, sound, and overall feel of this film opposed to its plotting. I essentially felt like I was already watching it for the second time, absorbing more of what else was going on, because while the plot is strong, it certainly felt very familiar as more and more reveals occurred. Its interesting because an average film-goer can probably foresee where this film will end up early on, but the joy from the journey is what matters and is still very much present.

    Another solid film to enter into Scorsese's cannon, that is matched with solid performances and great production values.

    Teddy Daniels: I'm gonna find out what the fuck's going on in that lighthouse.
  • danperry17
    November 19, 2011
    danperry17
    A downright spooky flick that lands somewhere between Cape Fear and Inception, based on a novel from the current master of the filmable thriller, Dennis Lehane. I enjoyed this movie for iits "twist," which seems a lot more predictable in hindsight than it did while watching the m... read moreovie, and I also thought the acting was top-notch. Mark Ruffalo didn't look at all intimidated by Leo or Sir Ben, and his underplayed sidekick to DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels stole a few scenes. Chilling and intense but very watchable, and definitely deserving of the advance hype, but at its core it's simply a strong genre piece - one that's well worth the effort.
  • 3niR
    November 14, 2011
    3niR
    Dude! This was a question-bomb movie that will keep you hanging for the rest of your life to figure it out. I did liked it but it's just too frustrating to not know what actually happened. No I ain't gonna waste another minute to think about it thank you.
  • fb1664868775
    October 28, 2011
    fb1664868775
    A surprising mindbending mystery from Scorsese, though not his best, he's still on top of his game.
  • MidnightMadwoman
    October 7, 2011
    MidnightMadwoman
    I really like the ideas behind this film, but there are one or two that clash pretty hard with some others. There are some points in the film where the tone changes quite violently: I thought we were watching a crime prodecural thriller, which then switches to a conspiracy theory... read more drama. I'm still on board, and then it gets into mentally subjective dream sequences, and I for one had trouble orienting myself within the action. What exactly is this we're watching? It's hard to talk about the strength of this film without giving away the great twist ending. I thought it really came out of left field, but suffice to say that there is a very good reason why Teddy Daniels can't get a handle on what exactly is going on on this mysterious island. There is a reason that this is all so confusing and conflicting, and it culminated really well. A very cool story, that creates loads of great, tragically damaged and three-dimensional characters. Worth watching.
  • DreamExtractor
    October 2, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    I loved this film, a lot, my only problem was small, was that I found a few plot holes in it. In 1954, Federal Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Ale (Mark Ruffolo) are heading to a mental institution on a land called Shutter Island. They have been... read more asked to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer), a patient admitted to the asylum after she murdered her three children. As Teddy quizzes Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), the head of the institution, he begins to suspect that the authorities in charge might not be giving him the whole truth, and that a terrible fate may befall all the patients in the spooky Ward C -- a unit devoted to the most heinous of the hospital's inmates. Complicating matters further, Teddy has a secret of his own -- the arsonist who murdered his wife is incarcerated on Shutter Island. Driven to confront his wife's killer, and stranded on the island because of a hurricane, Teddy must unravel the secrets of the eerie place before succumbing to his own madness. The plot was tremendous, even with a few holes, and Scorsese lives up to his greatness and I think this film was overlooked at the Oscars. The characters are memorable and brilliant, espically DiCaprio who we see go through hell and his acting is so great its like we are going insane with him. I can honestly say this is a worthy edition to Scorsese's movies, and one of my favorite movies of all time.
  • blkbomb
    July 31, 2011
    blkbomb
    Teddy Daniels: Which would be worse - to live as a monster, or to die as a good man? 

    "Someone Is Missing"

    Martin Scorsese's latest film is a tense and effective thriller. Shutter Island isn't about the twist; it's about the lead up to the twist. I can't say the twist is exactl... read morey hard to guess throughout the film, but it's still a great thriller. The atmosphere on the island is great and the score is effective in regards to the films atmosphere. I didn't think I would enjoy watching for a second time, but I really did. In many ways I liked it more the second time around.

    The movie has a lot going for it. One of the best directors around, one of the best actors going right now in DiCaprio and also a great supporting cast including Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo and Michelle Williams. It also has a solid premise, which is two marshals come to investigate a patient's escape from a insane asylum on an island. The first half hour of this movie really hooked me. From the first view of Shutter Island on board the ferry to hearing about the the different wards. It was all sone very effectively and really started the movie off strong. 

    The whole debriefing at the end by Ben Kingsley's character could have been done better. I think we are told a little bit too much. We already know what had happened by this point, yet we are pounded with the truth. If we were told less, it would have made the ending(which is good) even better. But I'm not going to criticize the film as entirety for that. 

    When it comes down to it Scorsese just shows how versatile he is. He's made so many different types of movies, yet many people only think of mob movies when they think of him. People forget about his period piece, The Age of Innocence and his many great character studies. Everyone knows he's a great director. It would just be nice if he was remembered by everyone for making more then just Goodfellas.

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Critic Reviews

C. Robert Cargill
May 6, 2011
C. Robert Cargill, Film.com

A brilliantly constructed mystery. Full Review

Peter Rainer
February 26, 2010
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

It comes on strong, but in its bloody heart of hearts it's no more resonant than one of those old Vincent Price-Edgar Allan Poe contraptions - and less entertaining, too. Full Review

Anthony Lane
February 22, 2010
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

Umberto Eco wrote, "Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." Shutter Island is that reunio... Full Review

Rick Groen
February 19, 2010
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Sorry, but the late reward hardly justifies all that punishment. Full Review

Tom Long
February 19, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

A movie that keeps you guessing to the end and then -- miraculously -- makes the guessing pay off. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
February 19, 2010
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

What is real? What is delusion? What is montrous? What is decent? Shutter Island may not shatter the heart but these are gnawing achievements for a movie about madness and paranoia. Full Review

Chris Vognar
February 19, 2010
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

This is among Scorsese's many gifts: Even when he's not crafting a masterpiece, he reminds you that the movies possess visceral and uncanny powers. Full Review

John Anderson
February 19, 2010
John Anderson, Wall Street Journal

Not since Raging Bull has Mr. Scorsese so brazenly married brutality to beauty. Not since Kundun has one of his films felt so aspirational. Full Review

Peter Howell
February 19, 2010
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Martin Scorsese's elephantine exercise in B-movie badness. Full Review

Randy Myers
February 19, 2010
Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News

Showing an explosive temper and a wounded psyche, DiCaprio eerily channels the great Richard Widmark, a film noir giant, as Teddy, a shaky World War II veteran still at war with his memories. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Chuck Aule: What if while you were looking into them, they were looking into you?
    • Chuck Aule: It's an island, boss. They're always gonna find us.
    • Teddy Daniels: Dolores told me she... she had an insect living inside her brain. She could feel it clicking across her skull, just... pulling the wires, just for fun.
    • Dr. Naehring: Did you know that the word 'trauma' comes from the Greek for 'wound'?
    • Teddy Daniels: Would you rather live a monster... Or die a good man?
    • Teddy Daniels: You think they're on too us?
    • Chuck Aule: Nah. We're too smart for that.
    • Teddy Daniels: Yeah. We are, aren't we?
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Shutter Island Trivia

  • Which of the upcoming movie in 2009 is not a horror movie?  Answer »
  • In Shutter Island, who is Rachel?  Answer »
  • Which movie did Martin Scorsese direct?  Answer »
  • Shutter Island- At the Ashecliff Hosptial For The Criminally Insane, what are we told about the lighthouse?  Answer »
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