Shutter Island
Two US marshals are sent to a mental institution on an inhospitable island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient.
Directed by Martin Scorsese · Drama · Mystery · Thriller · 138 min · 2010
Trailer
Director
Martin Scorsese
Studio
Paramount Pictures{{cite web / url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/66592 / title=AFI Catalog - Shutter Island / publisher=American Film Institute / access-date=1 January 2025 / Phoenix Pictures / Sikelia Productions / Appian Way Productions
Release
19 Feb 2010
Runtime
138 min
Genres
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Full Plot
In 1954, up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He's been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he thinks he's been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals "escape" in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything - his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.
Cast & Characters
Edward "Teddy" Daniels / Andrew Laeddis, a former U.S. Marshal who investigates the Shutter Island insane asylum
Leonardo DiCaprio
Emily Mortimer
Chuck Aule / Dr. Lester Sheehan, Teddy's primary psychiatrist doubling as his Marshal partner
Mark RuffaloDr. John Cawley, a senior psychiatrist at Shutter Island
Ben Kingsley
Dr. Naehring, a colleague of Cawley
Max von Sydow
Dolores Chanal, Teddy's manic-depressive wife
Michelle Williams
Rachel Solando:
Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson
the one who escaped Shutter Island, later revealed to be a nurse in disguise
Mortimer portrays the version presented by Cawley
Clarkson portrays the version met by Teddy in a cave who affirms his conspiracies, later revealed to be a hallucination
George Noyce, a patient in Ward C
Jackie Earle Haley
Warden
Ted Levine
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $80.0M, Shutter Island has grossed $294.8M worldwide — about 3.7x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Martin Scorsese has directed 7 films in our catalog, including Taxi Driver, The Wolf of Wall Street.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Leonardo DiCaprio appears in 6 films in our catalog, including The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Did You Know that the rights to Dennis Lehane's novel Shutter Island were first optioned to Columbia Pictures in 2003?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the film was mainly filmed in Massachusetts, with Taunton being the location for the World War II flashback scenes?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the old Medfield State Hospital in Medfield, Massachusetts, was another key location for the film?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the crew painted the hospital's brick walls to look like plywood to block the set from view of a local road?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Shutter Island holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (1,644,111 votes), 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 3, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.2/10 on IMDb (1,644,111 votes), 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shutter Island's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Shutter Island holds a 69% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Shutter Island's IMDb rating?+
Shutter Island has a 8.2/10 rating on IMDb from 1,644,111 votes.
What is Shutter Island's Metacritic score?+
Shutter Island has a Metascore of 63/100 on Metacritic.
Is Shutter Island good? What are critics saying?+
Shutter Island holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (1,644,111 votes), 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Shutter Island?+
Shutter Island has a runtime of 138 min.
Who directed Shutter Island?+
Shutter Island was directed by Martin Scorsese.
Where can I watch Shutter Island?+
Shutter Island is available to stream, rent, or buy on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel, JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Sky Store, JioHotstar, VI movies and tv, Zee5.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Shutter Island" has been largely positive, with many praising its unique blend of psychological thrills and mystery. Reviewers noted that the film's twisty plot and performances by DiCaprio and Ruffalo were standout elements. The movie has also sparked debate on social media, with some viewers expressing frustration about being forced to pay attention due to the film's mind-bending plot and others enjoying the experience and sharing their reactions.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Nice movie
This was a random thing. We didn't even know the schedule and I was just wearing a random shirt and shorts. I just wanted to drink mango shake but then we randomly decided to go to eastwood and check the schedule. We were supposed to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid but since Shutter I…
Mind-tripping psychological-thriller from Martin Scorsese, a bit of a change-up for him, with great performances all around of course including DiCaprio and Kingsley. This was my first viewing as I had procrastinated watching this for whatever reason, but found it highly entertai…
JPV852 · 9/10Don't you get it? You're a rat in a maze. US Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) travels to an island asylum facility for the criminally insane with his newly assigned partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). Their reason for being at Ashecliff Hospital is to investigate the myst…
John Chard · 7/10A US federal Marshal is sent on to investigate a missing patient on an isolated asylum called The Shutter Island. What he’s about to uncover will question him and his true identity. Quite exclusive and one of those storyline where you can’t lose your concentration for even a minu…
FlixxFlyy · 9/10Good suspense and mystery, although a bit too reliant on hallucinations, and the ending could have been better.
katch22 · 7/10Accompanied by a great cast and atmosphere, ‘Shutter Island’ certainly has a thrilling and engaging mystery to unfold, with an ending that is as tranquil as bittersweet. 8/10
AstroNoud · 8/10**_Leonardo DiCaprio’s trip to Fantasy Island_** In 1954, two US Marshals (DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo) are sent to an island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the disappearance of a patient from the asylum for the criminally insane located there. The lead detective sus…
Wuchak · 6/10Shutter Island deserves all the praise for being one of those films that stays with you long after the credits roll. Martin Scorsese dives into the psychological thriller genre with precision, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts eerie and thought-provoking. Leonardo DiCapri…
RalphRahal · 9/10Two US Marshals arrive at a remote island sanatorium to investigate the disappearance of one of it’s patients. “Teddy” (Leonardo Di Caprio) is a confident, bullish man who has only recently returned from combat duty in Germany at the end of the war, whilst his partner “Chuck” (Ma…
CinemaSerf · 7/10Excellent movie, was a bit morbid though some scenes may affect sensitive viewers as they say and even though I can handle zombies and sci-fi it's different when you know this stuff is based on reality. Disturbing, but they did it tastefully and always a good reminder while sci-f…
daniel_carr · 6/10
From the trailer's comments
This is the kind of movie you wish you could unsee just to be mind blown again by the plot twist. Two words: Piece of art
@ouardamanelouldsaid · 1743 likesWhats worse , "living as a monster or dying as a good man". Best line in the movie
@Shivansh....... · 551 likesLeo should have won Oscar for this
@deepakdash4879 · 775 likesI just watched this movie and I thought I was crazy for a second 😂
@GTR34-z · 342 likesEvery Dicaprio movie is a classic
@shubhammunda4758 · 611 likesI watched it without knowing it was a psychological thriller. Turned out to be one of the most brilliantly mindfucking movies i've ever watched😂😭
@Sara-qx8cc · 818 likes“RUN”
@urbannomad6928 · 27 likes"Which would be worse, to live as a monster or to die as a good man?" Scorsese´s movies are great!
@matusparobek3494 · 203 likes
