Shutter Island (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  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.

• Directors C

  
  [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… More
  [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 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.

• Albert K

  
  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… More
  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 excellently done.

• Aaron N

  
  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 clearly… More
  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 clearly 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.

• Daniel P

  
  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… More
  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 movie, 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.

• Dead A

  
  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.

• Graham J

  
  A surprising mindbending mystery from Scorsese, though not his best, he's still on top of his game.

• Emily A

  
  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… More
  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 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.

• Brad W

  
  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… More
  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 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.

• Melvin W

  
  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… More
  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 exactly 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.

• Eric A

  
  I'm a fan of thrillers, and this didn't disappoint. Add some scariness to it and you got yourself a pretty good movie.

• Drake T

  
  A deliciously suspenseful psychological thriller, Shutter Island is a great ride for any fan of the genre. Appreciate the craftsmanship, themes of fear, paranoia and Leonardo's performance in a story that's not only mind bending, but strikes the right emotional chords when… More
  A deliciously suspenseful psychological thriller, Shutter Island is a great ride for any fan of the genre. Appreciate the craftsmanship, themes of fear, paranoia and Leonardo's performance in a story that's not only mind bending, but strikes the right emotional chords when all the guessing is over.

• Phil H

  
  A different change of pace for Scorsese with this one, mob films and historical bio flicks aside this time we get an old fashioned murder mystery type noir which you could easily see Bogart in. Set in the mid 50's this is actually your stylish Hollywood film noir but set on an… More
  A different change of pace for Scorsese with this one, mob films and historical bio flicks aside this time we get an old fashioned murder mystery type noir which you could easily see Bogart in. Set in the mid 50's this is actually your stylish Hollywood film noir but set on an island so unfortunately you don't get the bright neon lights of dingy bars and seedy alleyways but what you do get is a very good dark, bleak, spooky island which kinda feels abit like 'Dr Moreau' at times with all the insane folk and cells. Typically for Scorsese the film looks tremendous and really highly stylised, all the cast look dapper in their suits and fedoras, the cars are classics and some of the sets are really nice and stately with all those solid wood furnishings that look so good in a mildly smokey cigar lit environment. Mr Kingsley fits so well into his role its almost scary as he struts around the main study room, his unique dastardly looking features so ripe for this type of period. Alongside him are an array of top actors from Levine, Ruffalo, Koteas, Sydow, Haley and lastly DiCaprio whom I still can't quite enjoy in a film for some reason, his very youthful looks still let him down in my opinion as he, for me, just doesn't look or feel the part here, his weak moustache doesn't help either. So it all looks tops and has a solid cast but the plot isn't quite as unique as I first assumed, its not obvious what will happen true...but when it does happen it doesn't feel too much of a shock or too original either really. The story unravels well and I admit I didn't suspect the twist in any way as Leo runs about frantically, nods to Hitchcock seem present in style and imagery but right up to the end your not entirely sure if what has happened is real which is good. Overall the whole twist concept wasn't as stunning as I thought it would of been judging on what I've heard and read, the other thing is the whole film is actually almost a remake of an old 20's silent film called 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari', the first horror/chiller/thriller type film of its kind which also introduced the 'twist ending' ;) A decent change of pace that gives a fresh diversion from the usual type of films released (much like 'Black Swan' was), well acted, looks good and does keep you on your toes right till the end.

• Bethany M

  
  Great movie - although very confusing at times. Great twist and a well thought out thriller. The ending really impressed me and I didn't expect it at all. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo make an excellent team. Outstanding!

• Cassie H

  
  I didn't get the point of this movie. Is Leo a good guy or a murder? I couldn't figure it out. But now that I've watched it again I would give it a 4, because I gave it a second chance.

• Jennifer X

  
  The more i think about it, the more I don't like it. I think it could actually be good, campy fun if it didn't take itself so darn seriously.

• Kristijonas F

  
  An unorthodox turn by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a provocative and disorienting mystery film with some great cinematography.

• Taylor B

  
  Tripped me out...dang, I was pretty tripped out!

• Kase V

  
  Let's just say, if it wasn't a Scorsese film, it would've only been pretty good. Leo is pretty good in most scenes, but not great. And Ruffalo has only one impressive scene. What a great thriller from such a great book, and what a great director. I wish this one was up… More
  Let's just say, if it wasn't a Scorsese film, it would've only been pretty good. Leo is pretty good in most scenes, but not great. And Ruffalo has only one impressive scene. What a great thriller from such a great book, and what a great director. I wish this one was up for some Oscars. The academy must be... Insane.

• ♥Robyn

  
  The film is set in 1954. (Leonardo DiCaprio) plays Teddy Daniels, a US marshal and Chuck Aule(Mark Ruffalo) are dispatched to an asylum to investigate the disappearance of a criminally insane inmate from her locked cell. He soon begins to suspect that this remote facility isnt all it… More
  The film is set in 1954. (Leonardo DiCaprio) plays Teddy Daniels, a US marshal and Chuck Aule(Mark Ruffalo) are dispatched to an asylum to investigate the disappearance of a criminally insane inmate from her locked cell. He soon begins to suspect that this remote facility isnt all it appears , is Ben Kingsleys avuncular psychiatrist really as kindly and welfare conscious as he seems.... and why are the guards so heavily armed.. And whats with the mysterious lighthouse that all the patients seem so terrified of..and to make matters worse there is a hurricane coming in and the generators are on the blink and Teddys new partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) is starting to look decidedly shifty....... i thought this was an enjoyable thriller with great performances.

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