Shutter Island (2010) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.
Rated R • 2010 • 2h 18m
Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' earns its R-rating through its pervasive atmosphere of psychological dread and several sequences of disturbing, graphic content. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates a remote asylum, but parents should be aware of the film's core themes of severe trauma, grief, and mental illness, which are depicted with unflinching intensity. The most notable content includes graphic WWII… Sign up for the full guide
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Is Shutter Island appropriate for kids?
Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' earns its R-rating through its pervasive atmosphere of psychological dread and several sequences of disturbing, graphic content. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates a remote asylum, but parents should be aware of the… Read more — free account
Content severity in Shutter Island
What happens in Shutter Island, moment by moment
- 0:02 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:18 🍷 Substances 4/10
- 0:25 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
Sex and nudity in Shutter Island
A few brief instances of nudity and some crude language are present. In one scene, Teddy walks past a line of naked male patients in Ward C, with brief rear and frontal nudity visible. During an interview, a patient makes a crude sexual remark. In a dream sequence, a deceased character's bare breast is briefly visible.
Violence and gore in Shutter Island
Violence is not constant but is shocking and disturbing when it occurs. The most graphic scenes are flashbacks to WWII, which include American soldiers executing a line of surrendering German guards and the bloody aftermath of a Nazi officer's attempted suicide. The film's climax reveals the story's central tragedy: three young children are shown dead after being drowned by their mother, who is then shot and killed on-screen.
Language in Shutter Island
Strong language is used frequently throughout the film. There are approximately 19 uses of "f--k" and its derivatives. Other profanity includes multiple uses of "shit," "Goddamn," "ass," "bitch," and exclamatory uses of "Jesus Christ."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Shutter Island
Substance use is a recurring element. Cigarette and pipe smoking is pervasive among nearly all male characters, fitting the 1950s setting. Teddy suffers from severe migraines and is shown taking pills (aspirin and later, institutional sedatives) and drinking alcohol to cope. A character is also a recovering alcoholic.
Mature themes in Shutter Island
The film is built on extremely heavy and mature themes. It explores severe mental illness, including psychosis, delusion, and denial. The profound trauma of war (PTSD) is a central element, as is the unbearable grief stemming from the murder of one's own children. The entire narrative functions as an exploration of memory, identity, and the mind's capacity to create alternate realities to escape unbearable pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shutter Island appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Shutter Island is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' earns its R-rating through its pervasive atmosphere of psychological dread and several sequences of disturbing, graphic content. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he…
What age rating does Shutter Island have?
Shutter Island is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Shutter Island about?
Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' earns its R-rating through its pervasive atmosphere of psychological dread and several sequences of disturbing, graphic content. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates a remote asylum, but parents should be aware of the film's core themes of severe trauma…
Is there sex or nudity in Shutter Island?
A few brief instances of nudity and some crude language are present. In one scene, Teddy walks past a line of naked male patients in Ward C, with brief rear and frontal nudity visible. During an interview, a patient makes a crude sexual remark. In a dream…
How violent is Shutter Island?
Violence is not constant but is shocking and disturbing when it occurs. The most graphic scenes are flashbacks to WWII, which include American soldiers executing a line of surrendering German guards and the bloody aftermath of a Nazi officer's attempted…
Is the language in Shutter Island appropriate for kids?
Strong language is used frequently throughout the film. There are approximately 19 uses of "f--k" and its derivatives. Other profanity includes multiple uses of "shit," "Goddamn," "ass," "bitch," and exclamatory uses of "Jesus Christ."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Shutter Island?
Substance use is a recurring element. Cigarette and pipe smoking is pervasive among nearly all male characters, fitting the 1950s setting. Teddy suffers from severe migraines and is shown taking pills (aspirin and later, institutional sedatives) and drinking…
What mature themes appear in Shutter Island?
The film is built on extremely heavy and mature themes. It explores severe mental illness, including psychosis, delusion, and denial. The profound trauma of war (PTSD) is a central element, as is the unbearable grief stemming from the murder of one's own…
How long is Shutter Island?
Shutter Island runs 138 minutes, directed by Martin Scorsese, released in 2010.
Where can I read the full Shutter Island parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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