One of the most fascinating story points in Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller “Shutter Island,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, concerns DiCaprio’s character Teddy Daniels. Teddy is portrayed as a US Marshal looking into a missing patient at a mental health facility throughout the entire movie. But as the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that Teddy is the missing patient—a revelation that is made in the film’s shocking denouement. This turn of events not only validates the film’s intricate storyline but also reflects the ideas of identity and reality that Scorsese delves into.
Teddy’s cigarette is lighted in a way that is one of the subliminal hints that points to this twist. Teddy is seen smoking, however someone else always lights his cigarette for him. Since patients at the mental facility aren’t allowed to carry lighters in the movie, this fact is important. This minor detail—which viewers frequently miss—foreshadows the more significant reality regarding Teddy’s identity. It implies that Teddy, who is meant to be a US Marshal, is, in fact, a patient in the facility; the movie’s closing moments corroborate this.
A key scene in the movie occurs when it is revealed that Teddy is actually a patient at the hospital, not the US Marshal he is claiming to be. It makes the audience rethink their assumptions about the story and the character, which helps them comprehend the concepts of the movie more fully. Thus, the moment in which the cigarette is lighted serves as more than just a plot device; it also serves as a metaphor of the movie’s investigation of identity, truth, and the nature of reality.
“Shutter Island” is well known for its intricate storyline and ability to leave viewers wondering right up until the very end. The moment where the cigarettes are being lit is a perfect illustration of how Scorsese employs minute details to heighten tension and foreshadow the unexpected turn of the story. It’s evidence of the movie’s genius and capacity to captivate viewers on several levels, from the surface-level plot to the more in-depth thematic investigation.
