Why ‘Shutter Island’ Deserves a Second Chance After 15 Years

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Martin Scorsese’s career spans a remarkable length of time, yet his films consistently receive top-tier recognition for their quality. Over the course of 26 narrative features and 16 documentaries, this cinematic genius seldom encounters criticism that is anything less than glowing from both critics and viewers. Analyzing his body of work through Rotten Tomatoes’ somewhat flawed scoring system, it’s rare to find a film of his with a consensus score below 75%. Even movies like 1999’s “Bringing Out the Dead,” which were initially divisive, have been reevaluated more positively as time has passed since their release.

Despite the fact that even renowned artists encounter obstacles occasionally, one of Scorsese’s most contentiously received films, released in 2010, is his psychological thriller “Shutter Island” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, who is among the director’s favorite collaborators. With a Tomatometer score of 69%, it ranks as Scorsese’s third-lowest-scored film, surpassing his debut “Boxcar Bertha” (54%) and “New York, New York” (57%). Although Rotten Tomatoes may not be the most accurate gauge of a film’s quality, it does suggest that when “Shutter Island” was first released, critics were divided in their opinions. However, is such a polarized reception truly warranted?

‘Shutter Island’ Is an Outlier in Scorsese’s Filmography

If you haven’t encountered it before or it’s been a while since you last saw it, “Shutter Island” is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane and follows the story of U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). They journey to an island housing a psychiatric facility to investigate the disappearance of patient Rachel Solando, who is suspected to have drowned her three children. As Teddy delves deeper, he grows suspicious of the hospital staff, particularly Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), and becomes entangled in a mystery that could challenge his mental stability.

Shutter Island, though often overshadowed in Scorsese’s filmography, offers an intriguing exploration of genres less prevalent in his famous works centered on misfits and gangsters. It shares common ground with movies like the family-themed historical fantasy Hugo (2011) and the 1997 epic Kundun, which chronicles the life of the Dalai Lama – films that, due to their distinct differences from much of his other work, could almost be mistaken for a different director’s creations. Shutter Island, in many ways, represents Scorsese’s most significant foray into horror filmmaking, skillfully constructing an intensely eerie and disquieting thriller that carries a classic sensibility.

The film exhibits strong influences from Alfred Hitchcock, 1940s film noir, and atmospheric horror films such as “Cat People” from 1942 and Hammer horror films of the 1960s. Unlike Scorsese’s previous works, which have always showcased a unique blend of style and narrative form, “Shutter Island” is strikingly distinct due to its exaggerated stylistic elements. The film’s manipulation of light and shadow, particularly in the scene where Teddy experiences a migraine during a storm, with lightning flashes illuminating the entire screen momentarily, is noteworthy. As Teddy ventures into the restricted areas of the hospital, the experience is as disquieting as anything Scorsese has created, resembling a grim, damp underworld that seems like descending into Hell itself.

Why ‘Shutter Island‘ Was So Divisive

As a cinephile, I can’t help but wonder why the release of Shutter Island sparked an unexpected chill among critics. One possible explanation is that its major plot twist was seen as rather predictable by many viewers and critics alike. Throughout the movie, there are subtle clues that guide the narrative towards a certain conclusion, which may have diminished the impact of the film’s storytelling prowess in the eyes of some. Moreover, the heavily stylized atmosphere was both praised for its captivating aesthetic and criticized for its disconnection from the somewhat disappointing plot resolution.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say this film, while not considered one of Scorsese’s masterpieces by even his fans, is more like his playground where he experiments with style rather than substance. Yet, the way he weaves that style into Shutter Island is nothing short of mesmerizing and sets it apart in his impressive body of work.

However, being a genius like Scorsese can be a double-edged sword. When you’ve reached such heights, even minor works like Shutter Island can seem underwhelming compared to the greatness this man is capable of. But if we take expectations out of the equation, Shutter Island still stands head and shoulders above most directors’ attempts at cinema.

Martin Scorsese is famously associated with raw, urban films such as “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “Taxi Driver,” which are tough to dispute as his most significant cinematic achievements. However, movies like “Shutter Island” demonstrate a less straightforward aspect of the director, making it challenging to pinpoint exactly what defines a Martin Scorsese film. Yet, Scorsese continues to be prolific, enriching the world of cinema regardless of the genre he chooses to explore.

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2025-03-03 01:32