Shutter Island is one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most popular movies and has a shocking ending that demands to be revisited. Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, Shutter Island follows US Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio), who travels to an isolated island mental facility where one of the criminal patients has seemingly escaped.

The film was another acclaimed collaboration between DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, earning a solid 69% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also embraced by audiences, becoming one of DiCaprio’s highest-grossing movies. With Shutter Island now available to stream for free on Pluto TV, those fans are able to watch it whenever they want.

The movie is a gripping thriller elevated by the masterful direction of Scorsese. DiCaprio also gives a powerful performance, leading a star-studded cast that also includes Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, and Ben Kingsley. However, it is Shutter Island‘s ending that has kept people talking about the film all these years later.

Shutter Island’s Ending Is So Good, You’ll Need To Watch The Movie Twice

Shutter Island’s Twist Ending Recontextualizes The Whole Movie

Teddy Daniels’ investigation begins with the search for a missing patient, but it soon becomes clear that he is in the middle of a much larger conspiracy. This raises questions as to what Shutter Island is really about, leading to the shocking twist ending that has become a big part of the movie’s legacy.

The movie reveals that Teddy is not a lawman, but a patient of the facility. The investigation of the missing person was an elaborate exercise to have Teddy confront his reality in order to save himself from being lobotomized.

In the end, the treatment doesn’t appear to have worked, but questions are raised with Teddy’s final line, “Which would be worse – to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?” It suggests Teddy understands he killed his wife, but is willing to be lobotomized to forget what he did.

It is a haunting ending that leaves the audience with a lot to think about in terms of what is real and what is not. It also makes Shutter Island the kind of movie that makes you want to rewatch the whole thing immediately.

It is a shocking twist in the moment, but it is even more compelling as you notice the hints along the way. From the behavior of the other facility workers to Teddy’s new “partner” Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) to Teddy’s conversations with fellow patient George (Jackie Earle Haley), it all comes together perfectly once you revisit it.

Why Shutter Island Is Underrated As A DiCaprio & Scorsese Collaboration

The Actor And Director Have Made Six Movies Together

Despite the popularity Shutter Island has among fans, it is still an underrated project compared to the rest of Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese’s collaborations. In complete fairness, the actor and director have made some truly great movies together, starting back in 2002 with Gangs of New York, totaling six projects to date.

Not a single one of these movies is less than great, with The Departed even winning Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars. Meanwhile, DiCaprio gives two of his best performances in The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street. However, Shutter Island doesn’t rank as high as those other тιтles.

The simple explanation for this comes down to Shutter Island not being the typical “prestige” movie DiCaprio and Scorsese make together. Even with its dark subject matter, it is meant to be a mainstream thriller. Likewise, even with Scorsese’s talent shining from behind the camera, it doesn’t explore themes too deeply beyond the main plot.

However, Shutter Island should not be faulted for being an entertaining movie. While Scorsese and DiCaprio have made other brilliant and complex films, the ending of Shutter Island still ensures that you leave the movie with a lot to think about.