Based on the novel of the same name, Shutter Island is a film of many layers. Set in the 1950s, it tells the story of Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshal investigating the strange disappearance of a patient at a remote mental institution. However, the plot is anything but a straightforward mystery in this masterful Martin Scorsese adaptation.
The ending of Shutter Island will most likely come as a complete shock to first-time viewers. Interestingly, upon closer inspection, there are subtle hints and clues throughout the events of the film that actually foreshadow the ending. For eagle-eyed moviegoers, spotting them can be quite rewarding. Obviously, massive SPOILERS are about to follow.
8 The Nervous Guards
One of the more clever hints occurs at the very beginning of the movie. As Teddy and his partner, Chuck, arrive on the island, the guards give them an icy reception. They give Teddy dirty looks and exchange nervous glances with each other. First-time viewers are inclined to believe that the staff simply resents the presence of the Marshals. The movie would have you believe something sinister is happening at Ashecliffe Hospital and that outsiders aren't welcome.
The truth, however, is quite different. The guards aren't nervous because they have something to hide. Rather, they know that Teddy is a patient at the hospital and are justifiably unnerved by his presence. The deputy warden even admits his men are twitchy, although he declines the reason as to why.
7 Chuck Fumbles With His Gun
The ending reveals that Teddy's partner "Chuck" is actually his doctor, Lester Sheehan. As part of the roleplaying exercise, Sheehan pretends to be Teddy's partner so the former can keep an eye on him. When the pair first arrive at Ashcliffe Hospital, there exists a subtle clue that demonstrates "Chuck" isn't really a U.S. Marshal.
Teddy and Chuck are asked to relinquish their firearms before entering the hospital. When Chuck goes to remove his holster, he fumbles with it for several seconds. Everyone, including Teddy, gives Chuck an amused look. The reason for the clumsiness is because Chuck is a doctor, not a law enforcement officer. He's unfamiliar with dealing with guns, and it shows.
6 The Staff/Patient Awkwardness At The Mention Of Sheehan
There are actually a few more blink-and-you-miss-it encounters that hint at "Chuck's" real identity. As part of his investigation into the missing patient, Teddy first interviews the staff. While conversing with one of the nurses, the topic of Dr. Sheehan is broached. At the mention of Sheehan's name, the nurse suddenly becomes very awkward and steals a quick glance in Chuck's direction. Unbeknownst to Teddy, the man they are talking about is standing right there.
This exercise is repeated a second time when Teddy is interviewing the patients. The conversation once again gets very awkward when Dr. Sheehan is discussed. One of the patients becomes extremely embarrassed when Teddy mentions Sheehan's attractiveness. Throughout it all, the camera periodically pans to Chuck, subtly implying that he is Dr. Sheehan. There's also a curious moment where the patient appears to drink from an invisible glass of water, further implying not everything is as it seems.
5 Teddy's Dreams Of Dolores
Teddy suffers from vivid nightmares at various points throughout the film. The subject of many of these dreams is Dolores, Teddy's deceased wife. He maintains that Dolores died tragically in an apartment fire, perpetrated by a pyromaniac named Andrew Laeddis.
One of Teddy's early dreams, however, reveals what actually happened to Dolores. When Teddy embraces her, Dolores's abdomen begins to bleed. Then, water starts to gush out. This interaction acknowledges how Dolores really died. Teddy, who is actually Andrew Laeddis, shot Dolores after the latter drowned their children in the nearby lake. The blood mixed with the water foreshadows this later revelation.
4 The Rule Of Four
The patient Teddy is supposed to find is Rachel Solando, an individual who has seemingly vanished without a trace. The only clue Teddy has to go on is a cryptic message that reads, "The Rule of Four. Who is 67?" Teddy is unable to crack the hidden meaning behind this strange message.
Interestingly, one of the hospital doctors makes an illuminating comment about the message midway through the film. This doctor, with an air of amusement, exclaims, "The Rule of Four. I love that." The comment seemingly means nothing at first, but it reveals that the staff is aware of what is really going on. The "Rule of Four" references the anagrams used for the roleplaying experiment. Edward Daniels is an anagram of Andrew Laeddis, while Rachel Solando is an anagram of Dolores Chanal.
3 The Apathetic Search Party
Rachel Solando, the patient Teddy is supposed to find, isn't a real person. She is an individual Teddy invented to fit his U.S. Marshal persona. However, for the roleplaying experiment to run its course, everyone at the hospital must play along with Teddy's delusions.
The guards contribute to the facade by forming search parties to look for Rachel. However, if one closely observes the guards in action, they appear to be doing nothing. First-time viewers are inclined to believe that the guards just don't care about finding Rachel. In reality, the guards are apathetic because they know Rachel doesn't exist. They have to pretend to search for someone they know is imaginary.
2 The Andrew Laeddis Patient Document
Until the very end of the movie, Teddy is unaware that he is actually Andrew Laeddis. He incorrectly believes that Laeddis is a separate patient at the hospital. The search is unsurprisingly a failure. Nevertheless, Chuck claims to find patient documentation that proves Laeddis is a resident at the hospital.
Tellingly, Teddy refuses to look at the documentation. This strikes Chuck as very odd considering Teddy's previous fascination with finding Laeddis. The reasoning is that Teddy, on a subconscious level, knows that document will prove his true identity. He doesn't want to give up the delusion, refusing to accept evidence that will shatter his carefully laid fantasies.
1 Teddy's Conversation With The Warden
Towards the end of the film, Teddy encounters the Warden, a somewhat mysterious and intimidating figure. While driving Teddy back to the hospital, the Warden discusses the nature of violence. He claims that nothing is purer or more natural to man than violence.
Throughout the conversation, the Warden intimates that he knows Teddy is a patient. He believes Teddy is irredeemably violent and subtly hints at his own skepticism concerning the roleplaying experiment. It's a rather chilling scene, one whose true meaning is easy to overlook.