Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Twisty, disturbing Scorsese thriller too intense for most.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shutter Island
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 35 parent reviews
Parents say this film is an intense psychological thriller with strong themes and graphic content that make it unsuitable for younger audiences. While its atmosphere and performances, especially by Leonardo DiCaprio, are highly praised, viewers caution that it contains disturbing imagery and complex storylines that may require multiple viewings to fully understand.
- mature themes
- intense content
- strong performances
- complex storyline
- graphic imagery
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 106 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a gripping psychological thriller with a complex plot and unexpected twists that can be quite intense and disturbing. While some feel it can be suitable for older teens due to its content of violence, language, and brief nudity, many recommend parental guidance and suggest it is best for viewers aged 14 and above to fully grasp its themes.
- intense themes
- unexpected twists
- parental guidance advised
- suitable for teens
- complex plot
- strong language
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In 1954, federal marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) arrive on Shutter Island, a treatment facility outside of Boston for the criminally insane, to search for an escaped murderess. Haunted by past images from Nazi concentration camps and visions of his dead wife (Michelle Williams), Teddy has another, more personal reason to visit the island. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that there might be far more sinister things going on, and that doctors Cawley (Ben Kingsley) and Naehring (Max von Sydow), may be involved in some kind of hideous experiment. But even if Teddy can find proof, will he ever get off the island?
Is It Any Good?
SHUTTER ISLAND is a great-looking, highly stylized, very intense thriller in the vein of Martin Scorsese's earlier Cape Fear (1991). The film was directed by the legendary Scorsese and adapted from a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone). While Scorsese is very good at creating strong images and exploring powerful characters head-on, though, he's not particularly good at sneaking around, planting clues and red herrings, and springing surprise plot twists.
Experienced moviegoers will likely be two jumps ahead of the story, but that doesn't take away from the pure, exciting, physical experience of the movie itself. Individual moments and the performances of an excellent cast can take your breath away, regardless of the whole. As with many of Scorsese's movies, the imagery can be of a highly disturbing -- even nightmarish -- nature, and younger viewers are strongly warned away.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violent nightmares, visions, and flashbacks. How did they affect you? Did they make you feel angry, edgy, or curious? Why do you think that was? Did you notice your behavior change after the movie?
Talk about the methods of Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), which include listening to and empathizing with his patients. How is this better than treating dangerous patients with drugs and locking them up? Is it easier, or more difficult, to listen?
According to the movie, the human brain has the capacity to block out memories of horrible or tragic events. What effect would this have? Would it make life easier, or more difficult?
The movie is set in 1954 and portrays a lot of era-accurate smoking? What has changed about how people think about smoking since the 1950s?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 19, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : June 8, 2010
- Cast : Ben Kingsley , Leonardo DiCaprio , Mark Ruffalo
- Director : Martin Scorsese
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 138 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing violent content, language and some nudity
- Last updated : March 1, 2026
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