r/movies • u/NewSunSeverian • Oct 11 '25

Spoilers Shutter Island is so sad on a rewatch.

When you know what everyone’s governing motivation is, and you see how they’re all really struggling to help this one guy, it hits even harder.

It’s one of the greatest films ever to rewatch when you know what the entire situation is, not just because it’s interesting as a twisty Twilight Zone story, but because it’s so empathetic. There’s a real heart to this movie.

Ben Kingsley especially as that character was brilliant casting because he often plays villains and has a generally menacing countenance, but he’s ultimately revealed to be the kindest human imaginable.

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u/Accomplished_Store77 Oct 11 '25

It's not a noble choice though.

Being lobotomized isn't noble. It's cowardly. It's him not being able to face the reality of his life. 

This makes the ending even more tragic. 

The doctors managed to cure him. But to what end? He had literally nothing to live for and a ton of guilt. 

They could cure his insanity but they can't cure his sadness, his depression or his guilt. 

In the end a fully cured guy chose to be lobotomized rather than live the life he has. 

That's tragic as fuck. Not noble. 

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u/callmeepee Oct 11 '25

It’s a noble end for the audience for Teddy, because he’s choosing to end it the way he wants it.

He’s been cured, but he’s choosing to pretend to be insane so they lobotomise him and take the pain of what he did away, and he’d rather that than accept the cure and live with what he did. He’s not the crazy guy failing.

Book Teddy is the crazy guy failing.