Released in 1995, The Usual Suspects quickly became one of the most iconic films of the decade, renowned for its intricate plot, memorable characters, and one of the most shocking twist endings in cinematic history. Directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie, the film is a masterclass in suspense and misdirection, challenging viewers to piece together a complex narrative that ultimately leaves them questioning everything they thought they knew. In this blog post, we’ll dive into a detailed recap and review of The Usual Suspects, exploring its plot, characters, themes, and the cinematic techniques that make it a timeless thriller.
Plot Recap: Unraveling the Mystery
The Setup – A Mysterious Explosion
The film opens with a scene of chaos on a ship docked in San Pedro Bay, California. An explosion has decimated the vessel, and the only survivor is a severely burned Hungarian crewman. The audience is immediately thrust into a world of intrigue as law enforcement and the audience alike are left to unravel the mystery of what transpired.
The narrative then shifts to the present day, where we meet Roger “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey), a small-time con artist with cerebral palsy who has been granted immunity in exchange for his testimony about the events leading up to the explosion. The story is primarily told through Verbal’s unreliable narration as he recounts the events to U.S. Customs agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri).
The Lineup – An Unlikely Group of Criminals
The story begins six weeks earlier, when five criminals are rounded up by the New York Police Department and placed in a lineup. The group includes Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), a former corrupt cop trying to go straight; Michael McManus (Stephen Baldwin), a hotheaded and violent thief; Fred Fenster (Benicio del Toro), McManus’s partner; Todd Hockney (Kevin Pollak), a hijacker; and Verbal Kint.
The men, seemingly unconnected, are accused of hijacking a truckload of weapons. While they are all innocent of the crime, they decide to join forces to pull off a major heist as an act of revenge against the police for their unwarranted arrests. This decision sets in motion a series of events that leads them deeper into a world of organized crime and, ultimately, their doom.
The Heist – A Deal with the Devil
After their successful revenge heist, the group is approached by a lawyer named Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite), who works for a mysterious crime lord known only as Keyser Söze. Kobayashi informs them that Söze wants them to pull off a highly dangerous job: to destroy a massive cocaine shipment that is arriving in the port of Los Angeles. The reward is great, but so is the risk, as Söze is known to be a ruthless and nearly mythical figure in the criminal underworld.
Faced with the threat of death should they refuse, the group reluctantly agrees to the job. However, as they plan the operation, tensions rise, and suspicions grow about each other’s motives and loyalties. The narrative builds toward the climactic events on the ship, where the heist goes disastrously wrong, leading to the explosion that kills nearly everyone on board.
The Twist – The Devil in Disguise
In the final act, as Verbal finishes his story, Agent Kujan reveals his own theory: that Dean Keaton was actually Keyser Söze, using the group to further his criminal empire. Verbal appears to reluctantly agree with Kujan’s theory, expressing disbelief that Keaton could have betrayed them.
However, as Verbal leaves the police station, the true nature of the story is revealed in one of the most famous twist endings in film history. Agent Kujan, reviewing the details of Verbal’s testimony, realizes that much of what Verbal had said was fabricated, drawn from random objects and names within the interrogation room. The final revelation hits when Kujan notices that Verbal’s limp and paralyzed hand were part of the ruse. Verbal, now free, casually walks away from the police station, his limp disappearing as he steps into a waiting car driven by Kobayashi. The true identity of Keyser Söze remains a mystery, as the audience is left to question whether Verbal Kint himself was the elusive crime lord all along.
Themes: Misdirection, Identity, and the Power of Myth
The Art of Misdirection
One of the central themes of The Usual Suspects is misdirection. The film plays with the audience’s perception, using Verbal Kint as an unreliable narrator to guide the story. The plot is structured in such a way that the audience is led down a path of false assumptions, much like Agent Kujan. The final twist not only shocks but also forces viewers to re-evaluate everything they’ve seen. It’s a film that demands a second viewing, where the layers of deception can be more fully appreciated.
The Fluidity of Identity
The film also explores the fluidity of identity. Throughout the movie, characters assume different roles and identities, whether out of necessity or deception. Dean Keaton struggles with his desire to leave his criminal past behind, while Verbal Kint’s entire persona is eventually revealed to be a carefully constructed façade. The ultimate revelation that Verbal might actually be Keyser Söze calls into question the very nature of identity—who we are versus who we present ourselves to be.
The Power of Myth
Keyser Söze himself is more than just a character; he is a myth within the world of the film. The fear he inspires is rooted not in his actions but in the stories that surround him. The legend of Söze is what gives him power, allowing him to control others without ever being seen. This theme of the power of myth and reputation is central to the film’s narrative, showing how the idea of a person can be more influential than the person themselves.
Character Analysis: A Memorable Ensemble Cast
Verbal Kint – The Master Manipulator
Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of Verbal Kint is one of the most celebrated aspects of The Usual Suspects. At first glance, Verbal appears to be a meek, crippled con artist who is out of his depth among hardened criminals. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Verbal is far more than he seems. Spacey’s performance is layered with subtle hints and clues that take on new meaning after the film’s twist ending. Verbal Kint’s true nature remains one of the most enduring mysteries of modern cinema.
Dean Keaton – The Reluctant Leader
Gabriel Byrne’s Dean Keaton is a character torn between two worlds. A former corrupt cop turned criminal, Keaton is desperate to escape his past and start a new life with his girlfriend, Edie. However, his criminal history and his involvement with the other suspects drag him back into a world of crime. Byrne’s performance captures Keaton’s internal conflict, making him a tragic figure who is ultimately doomed by his past.
Michael McManus and Fred Fenster – The Violent Duo
Stephen Baldwin’s Michael McManus and Benicio del Toro’s Fred Fenster provide much of the film’s dark humor. McManus is a trigger-happy thief who thrives on chaos, while Fenster, with his nearly incomprehensible accent, serves as his quirky sidekick. Del Toro’s performance as Fenster is particularly memorable, adding a layer of unpredictability to the film’s ensemble.
Todd Hockney – The Skeptical Hijacker
Kevin Pollak’s Todd Hockney is the most skeptical and cynical of the group. A professional hijacker, Hockney is distrustful of everyone, including his fellow criminals. Pollak’s dry wit and no-nonsense demeanor make Hockney a standout character in the ensemble, and his skepticism mirrors the audience’s own doubts as the plot unfolds.
Dave Kujan – The Determined Agent
Chazz Palminteri’s Agent Dave Kujan is a character driven by obsession. He is determined to uncover the truth about Dean Keaton, whom he believes to be the mastermind behind a series of crimes. Kujan’s single-minded pursuit of Keaton blinds him to the real mastermind, making him a tragic figure in his own right. Palminteri’s performance captures Kujan’s frustration and determination, making the final twist all the more impactful.
Cinematic Techniques: Crafting a Complex Narrative
Nonlinear Storytelling
The Usual Suspects employs a nonlinear narrative structure, with the story unfolding through a series of flashbacks as Verbal Kint recounts the events to Agent Kujan. This structure allows the film to play with time and perspective, keeping the audience guessing as to what is true and what is fabricated. The nonlinear approach also mirrors the fragmented nature of the story, where different pieces of information are revealed out of order, contributing to the film’s sense of mystery.
The Unreliable Narrator
The concept of the unreliable narrator is central to the film’s success. Verbal Kint’s testimony is filled with half-truths, fabrications, and outright lies, designed to mislead both Agent Kujan and the audience. This technique keeps viewers on their toes, constantly questioning the validity of the information being presented. The final twist is made all the more powerful because it forces the audience to reconsider everything they’ve been told.
Cinematography and Visual Style
Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel’s work on The Usual Suspects is integral to the film’s tone and atmosphere. The film’s visual style is dark and moody, with shadows and low lighting used to create a sense of foreboding and tension. The use of close-ups and slow camera movements heightens the intensity of key scenes, particularly during the lineup and the final reveal. The film’s visual style complements its themes of deception and hidden truths, reinforcing the idea that things are not always what they seem.
The Iconic Twist Ending
The twist ending of The Usual Suspects is one of the most iconic in film history. The revelation that Verbal Kint may actually be Keyser Söze recontextualizes the entire story, turning everything the audience thought they knew on its head. This twist is not just a gimmick; it is the culmination of the film’s themes of misdirection, identity, and the power of myth. It leaves a lasting impact, ensuring that The Usual Suspects is a film that stays with viewers long after the credits roll.
Conclusion: A Timeless Thriller
The Usual Suspects remains a masterpiece of modern cinema, a film that challenges viewers with its complex narrative, memorable characters, and shocking twist. Bryan Singer’s direction, combined with Christopher McQuarrie’s sharp screenplay and a stellar ensemble cast, creates a film that is as intellectually engaging as it is entertaining. The themes of misdirection, identity, and the power of myth continue to resonate, making The Usual Suspects a timeless thriller that rewards multiple viewings.
Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it years later, The Usual Suspects offers a rich and rewarding experience that solidifies its place as one of the greatest films of the 1990s. As the line from the film goes, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” In The Usual Suspects, that trick is masterfully executed, leaving audiences both satisfied and questioning everything they’ve seen.
FAQs:
1. What is The Usual Suspects about?
The Usual Suspects is a crime thriller that follows the story of five criminals who are brought together for a heist that goes disastrously wrong, culminating in a shocking twist that challenges everything the audience knows.
2. Who directed The Usual Suspects?
The Usual Suspects was directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
3. Who is Keyser Söze?
Keyser Söze is a mysterious and nearly mythical crime lord whose identity is one of the central mysteries of The Usual Suspects. The film’s twist ending suggests that Verbal Kint may actually be Söze.
4. What is the twist ending in The Usual Suspects?
The twist ending reveals that Verbal Kint, the film’s unreliable narrator, may actually be the elusive crime lord Keyser Söze, and much of his testimony was fabricated.
5. Who plays Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects?
Kevin Spacey plays Verbal Kint, a small-time con artist who is granted immunity in exchange for his testimony about the events leading to a deadly explosion.
6. What themes are explored in The Usual Suspects?
The film explores themes of misdirection, the fluidity of identity, the power of myth, and the concept of the unreliable narrator.
7. What role does the unreliable narrator play in the film?
Verbal Kint serves as an unreliable narrator, using misdirection and fabricated details to manipulate both the audience and the authorities, culminating in the film’s twist ending.
8. How does The Usual Suspects use nonlinear storytelling?
The film uses a nonlinear narrative structure, with the story unfolding through flashbacks as Verbal Kint recounts events to Agent Kujan, keeping the audience engaged and questioning the truth.
9. What makes The Usual Suspects a classic?
The Usual Suspects is considered a classic due to its complex narrative, memorable characters, masterful direction, and one of the most iconic twist endings in cinematic history.
10. What is the significance of the lineup scene in The Usual Suspects?
The lineup scene is iconic, serving as the moment when the group of criminals first comes together, setting the stage for the film’s intricate plot and eventual unraveling.
Be the first to comment