Mind of the Damned: A Glimpse into a Psychotic Brain Portrayed in Film
Humanity has always been fascinated by the unknown. Such phenomena include the human psyche and all of its deviations. Despite centuries of research, our brain is one of our most mysterious and incomprehensible organs. In terms of mental illnesses, the earlier schools of thought differ in treatments with violent methods, such as lobotomy, and a more empathetic view, aimed at understanding the flawed mechanism. This placement of things provides an excellent plot for filmmakers and producers. In recent decades, films about mental illnesses have attracted more and more audiences with their thrilling mysteries and spectacular cinematography. One such piece is Shutter Island (2010), directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Laeta Kalogridis. The mystery thriller, based on Dennis Lehane’s novel Shutter Island (2003), depicts an investigation led by Teddy Daniels, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, which takes place in a mental institution for the criminally insane, Ashecliffe (IMDB.com). The disappearance of one of the patients is a mystery for the U.S. Marshal and his partner, Chuck Aule, due to the fact that the institution is located on an inescapable island. As their investigation goes on, Teddy discovers the pieces to many conspiracies regarding the true nature of the institution and the patient’s disappearance. The ending contains one of the most unexpected plot twists in cinematic history when it is uncovered that Teddy is a patient of Ashecliffe himself, and the investigation was all a well-thought-out role play to help him separate his delusions from a painful reality.