In 1954 Federal Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner Chuck Aule from Seattle travel to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient there Rachel Solando. She had been sectioned at the institution for dangerous criminals at Ashcliffe Hospital because she drowned her three kids. Teddy is a veteran WWII soldier traumatized by the war experience in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp and the loss of his beloved wife in a criminal fire. Teddy is unable to access the records of employees and patients and feels that his investigation is obstructed by the management by the Federal facility. Teddy has severe migraines and when there is a storm Teddy and Chuck find that they are stranded in the island. Teddy interviews the internees and follows a lead to the lighthouse where he discloses the mystery about the Shutter Island.