‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?
Daily Highlight
  • MOVIE
  • TV
  • CELEB
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MCU
  • DISNEY
  • About US
Daily Highlight
No Result
View All Result

‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

Julianne Walters by Julianne Walters
April 17, 2024
in ENTERTAINMENT
Reading Time: 7 mins read
‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

Shutter Island is the movie to watch if you want to see a dark and complex psychological thriller. The 2010 movie, which is an adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel, fulfills all the requirements for a thrilling neo-noir journey. Solitary context? Check. A key character who is paranoid and obsessed? Check. Low-key lighting and ominous visuals? Check. Martin Scorsese‘s successful movie about a U.S. Marshal examining the case of a disappeared mentally ill patient was praised for its atmosphere, actors, and camera work. Despite mixed reviews for the contentious twist ending of the movie, Shutter Island was a box office blockbuster.

   
⁠

‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

The movie, which is set in 1954, follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he makes his way to the isolated Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. When they arrive, they start looking into the case of the missing Patricia Clarkson‘s Rachel Solando, a woman who was brought to the hospital because she drowned her kids. The only hint is a complex riddle that can be discovered in Rachel’s chamber, thus solutions are taking a while some time to be proposed. Yet Teddy’s wonders grow as he learns more about Rachel and the Ashecliffe Hospital. Teddy rapidly discovers that there is more to Ashecliffe, its patients, and doctors than initially appears due to a number of unsettling dreams, a mystery behind the recovery techniques, and a big hurricane that is about to arrive and endanger his progress.

Shutter Island has numerous twisting entertainment, particularly the moment Teddy invites the viewers to participate in his investigation into Rachel’s abduction. Although all of the actors give convincing performances, particularly DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley as the reclusive psychiatrist John Cawley, the setting is what really steals the show. The movie virtually drips with mood between the desolate, rain-lashed island and Ashecliffe’s numerous dark prison cells and protracted, silent hallways. Low lighting, a decision made by Scorsese, introduces thick shadows that add to the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere and moody tone. Its 2+ hour running duration may have a tendency to drag, but the psychological thriller is strong enough to make up for it.

‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

Nonetheless, in what way did it turn out? Teddy claimed to have solved the enigma of Rachel’s disappearance. Why is he experiencing hallucinations? And is Ashecliffe truly harboring any secrets? Should you be curious in the way Teddy’s narrative ended, involving that contentious twist, read on for a breakdown. Teddy experiences frequent headaches and illusions of his wife Dolores (Michelle Williams), who perished in a fire started by a guy called Andrew Laeddis, over the course of the movie. Throughout his inquiry into Rachel’s abduction, his mental tension grows more intense, and his exploration leads him outside the walls of Ashecliffe to the seashore cliffs and the foreboding lighthouse on Shutter Island, just off shore.

At the place, he discovers Dr. Cawley, who explains the movie’s events to both Teddy and the viewers. In fact, Teddy’s real name is Andrew Laeddis, an anagram of his made up name Edward Daniels. The movie’s actions up till now, including Cawley letting Andrew portray the part of Teddy, were intended to treat his mental illness, which resulted from killing his sorrowful wife after she murdered their kids at their lake cottage by drowning. In reality, Andrew is an inmate at Ashecliffe, using the alias Teddy Daniels as a coping mechanism.

‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

The employees at the hospital, particularly the nurses and Lester Sheehan, who pretended to be Andrew’s colleague, Chuck, participated in the complex charade by feeding into Andrew’s illusions. What about his headaches? As Cawley and the rest of the doctors permitted him to spend time with his fantasy, Andrew had withdrawn from using his prescription medicines. Yet as Andrew is forced to face his horrific recollections and the actuality of his situation again, he faints and then wakes up in the hospital with Cawley. Cawley acknowledges that he and the rest of the doctors assisted Andrew in achieving this same serene state month earlier, albeit he quickly relapsed, even if Andrew appears ready to embrace the reality. Cawley cautions that if he reverts one more time, the doctors will be forced to lobotomize him.

Andrew’s improvement initially seems to be proceeding smoothly, but it doesn’t last long before he starts to reverse back. As he starts to discuss his urge to depart from the island, it becomes clear that he is one more time regressing into his psyche and the “Teddy” identity. And as Cawley had forewarned, this was indeed Andrew’s final opportunity. Cawley, who is dissatisfied, seeks advice from the Ashecliffe superintendent, and the hospital’s attendants to transfer Andrew for lobotomy so as to halt the cruel repetition of self-reproach and hallucinations that haunt him, for good.

‘Shutter Island’ Final Moments: What’s The Exact Meaning Of Madness?

Well, it’s a very depressing conclusion, but perhaps it isn’t as eventual as it seems. Did Andrew truly have a lobotomy? The final scene of the movie, which lingers on the lighthouse in which the surgery would take place, is very gloomy (as does the music that goes with it), and it appears to allude to Andrew’s future operation, yet we can’t be certain because since we have no chance to truly witness how it is carried out.

Whether it literally occurred or not (and there are strong reasons for both outcomes), the former may have been the choice Andrew was hoping for. In any case, just before being led away, he questions Sheehan, “To live as a monster, or to die as a good man? ” In essence, would he prefer to have a lobotomy to become Teddy, his deluded self who never murdered anyone, or to keep the life as his own, rational Andrew, who killed his beloved other? Although the conclusion differs differently from the one in the novel, Andrew’s inquiry appears to imply that he would be cool with the surgery given that it will help him get rid of the memories of the terrible things he has done. His genuine objective appears to be inner peace (with himself and the things he’s done), instead of continuing to live with regrets and terrible memories.

Even more crucially, Shutter Island poses the quiz of what it really means to be crazy while also challenging its characters and audience to distinguish between what is true and what is illusioned. Is it a problem with your mind? Repeating the same tasks and anticipating different outcomes? Or perhaps it’s the ongoing struggle to overcome obstacles when everybody is trying to drag you down. Whatever we think, the reality isn’t always as clear-cut as Andrew’s nuanced emotions and mental condition.

Julianne Walters

Julianne Walters

Julianne Walters, a freelance TV and film writer at DAILY HIGHLIGHT, possesses a diverse specialization encompassing mainstream cinema, independent filmmaking, and television. With an impressive six-year tenure in the industry, she has contributed insightful content to local and international websites.

RELATED POSTS

A Woman Refused To Eat Food After The Meal Was Eaten Without Her
Blog

A Woman Refused To Eat Food After The Meal Was Eaten Without Her

July 8, 2025

Picture a cozy home decked with balloons and the smell of a favorite meal filling every room. A young adult...

This Man Discovered His Autistic Brother Tried To Steal His Identity For A Loan – He Refused To Stay Silent
Blog

This Man Discovered His Autistic Brother Tried To Steal His Identity For A Loan – He Refused To Stay Silent

July 8, 2025

Imagine logging into your credit report, expecting a clean slate, only to find a loan application you never signed, linked...

Woman Snaps After Straight Friend Jokes About “Missing The D”—Leaves Entire Zoom Call Stunned
Blog

Woman Snaps After Straight Friend Jokes About “Missing The D”—Leaves Entire Zoom Call Stunned

July 8, 2025

One Redditor found herself at the center of a late-night Zoom drama—sparked not by parenting woes or pandemic stress, but...

This Woman Inherited £700k And Discovered Her Brother Wasn’t Really Her Dad’s Son – Now Her Family Is Calling Her Greedy
Blog

This Woman Inherited £700k And Discovered Her Brother Wasn’t Really Her Dad’s Son – Now Her Family Is Calling Her Greedy

July 8, 2025

Picture a warm Christmas near Oxford, the smell of roast turkey, fairy lights twinkling, and a grandmother whose laughter made...

Roommate Moves In His Girlfriend Without Asking—Regrets It When Everyone Else Moves Out And Leaves Him Alone On The Lease
Blog

Roommate Moves In His Girlfriend Without Asking—Regrets It When Everyone Else Moves Out And Leaves Him Alone On The Lease

July 8, 2025

Sometimes the real cost of entitlement isn’t financial—it’s personal. One Reddit user shared a story about how they and their...

Load More
Next Post
Reflecting Upon The Ending Of ‘No Country For Old Men’ After 15 Years To Examine Its Theme

Reflecting Upon The Ending Of ‘No Country For Old Men’ After 15 Years To Examine Its Theme

TRENDING

A Woman Refused To Eat Food After The Meal Was Eaten Without Her
Blog

A Woman Refused To Eat Food After The Meal Was Eaten Without Her

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
This Man Discovered His Autistic Brother Tried To Steal His Identity For A Loan – He Refused To Stay Silent
Blog

This Man Discovered His Autistic Brother Tried To Steal His Identity For A Loan – He Refused To Stay Silent

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
Woman Snaps After Straight Friend Jokes About “Missing The D”—Leaves Entire Zoom Call Stunned
Blog

Woman Snaps After Straight Friend Jokes About “Missing The D”—Leaves Entire Zoom Call Stunned

by Annie Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
This Woman Inherited £700k And Discovered Her Brother Wasn’t Really Her Dad’s Son – Now Her Family Is Calling Her Greedy
Blog

This Woman Inherited £700k And Discovered Her Brother Wasn’t Really Her Dad’s Son – Now Her Family Is Calling Her Greedy

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
Roommate Moves In His Girlfriend Without Asking—Regrets It When Everyone Else Moves Out And Leaves Him Alone On The Lease
Blog

Roommate Moves In His Girlfriend Without Asking—Regrets It When Everyone Else Moves Out And Leaves Him Alone On The Lease

by Annie Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
They Hid Their Daughter To Keep Her Safe – But Sparked A Family Firestorm When The Secret Came Out
Blog

They Hid Their Daughter To Keep Her Safe – But Sparked A Family Firestorm When The Secret Came Out

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
The Secret She Thought Was Buried Forever – Until Her Friend Exposed Everything
Blog

The Secret She Thought Was Buried Forever – Until Her Friend Exposed Everything

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
This Woman Locked Her Husband Out Of Their Bedroom After His 3 A.m Surprise Hug Left Her Terrified And Furious
Blog

This Woman Locked Her Husband Out Of Their Bedroom After His 3 A.m Surprise Hug Left Her Terrified And Furious

by Sunny Nguyen
July 8, 2025
0

Read more
Daily Highlight

© 2024 DAILYHIGHLIGHT.COM

Navigate Site

  • About US
  • Contact US
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Policy
  • ADVERTISING POLICY
  • Corrections Policy
  • SYNDICATION
  • Editorial Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Sitemap

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • MOVIE
  • TV
  • CELEB
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MCU
  • DISNEY
  • About US

© 2024 DAILYHIGHLIGHT.COM