Shutter Island

Genres : Mystery, Drama, Psychological 

Writer : Surya Turaga 

Date : 20th April, 2023 

A tragically underrated and underappreciated work, this is one of the most haunting movies I’ve ever seen. This movie is definitely not what it seems. You never really know what it’s about until it’s over. And you see something new everytime you watch it. 

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller film made by Martin Scorsese. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, who I believe is one of the best actors of our time. Here, the protagonist is Teddy Daniels, a federal agent haunted by memories of the war. As he visits a mental asylum to investigate the disappearance of a patient, strange stuff starts happening. 

This movie is definitely not for everyone. Some may find the movie dull, or on the other end, a little disturbing. It is a very psychological film, and will leave you thinking for a while if you’re anything like me. It’s not actually about solving a mystery. It’s about madness. Every minute, we get more questions than answers. 

The plot digresses occasionally, but stays on track for most of the film. The music always fits the theme. Opening with a deep and oppressive soundtrack, it adapts to the story seamlessly. I like that the cinematography didn’t use any cheap horror tricks. Instead, the shots were clear. Everything is before your eyes, and yet you don’t see it. 

DiCaprio’s performance was easily my favorite part. It was eerily perfect. His mannerisms and dialogue showed his haunting past and deep pain. It was incredibly painful watching him struggle with his past. No other actor could have brought out all the aspects of Teddy Daniels. Of course, all the actors in the movie did well. 

This movie achieves everything it set out to do. It is a mystery that keeps you hooked without any cliche plot twists or last minute reveals, slowly unraveling without revealing. It is a horror that scares and haunts you without jumpscares or classic horror elements. If you look deeper, you may find that it’s a tragedy, filled with pain. 

Overall, Shutter Island is a perfect psychological horror. Cinematography complimented the mysterious music and the spooky atmosphere. A movie like no other, this will truly haunt you, and leave you pondering on the final question raised. I don’t know what part of the film scares me more, the pain or the horror. 

Surya-o-meter : 92%