10 More Worst Fates Suffered By Heroes In Horror Movies
8. Teddy Daniels - Shutter Island
In Shutter Island, US marshal Teddy Daniels opens an investigation in Ashecliffe Hospital after learning a murderous inmate called Andrew Laeddis has gone missing. As Teddy uncovers more clues, he becomes convinced the facilitator, John Cawley, is hiding a terrible secret about the institution.
Although Teddy's suspicions are correct, the truth is much more disturbing than he expected. Over time, Cawley reveals he concocted this entire scenario so Teddy would realise he is the missing inmate, Andrew Laeddis. After killing his wife, Andrew's mind snapped, causing him to invent a new personality called Teddy Daniels.
Andrew eventually comes around to this explanation, though he seems to mentally regress soon after, once again believing he is Teddy. Acknowledging Andrew is a lost cause, Cawley is left with no choice but to have him lobotomised.
Just before the procedure, Teddy asks his psychiatrist whether it's worse "to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?" With this simple exchange, it's heavily implied Andrew hasn't reverted to his alternate personality and instead, has voluntarily agreed to the lobotomy, since he can't live with himself.