The Usual Suspects (1995), directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie, is a neo-noir crime thriller that centers on the aftermath of a heist and the investigation of a mysterious criminal mastermind. The film opens with the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint (played by Kevin Spacey), a small-time con artist, who is the only survivor of a deadly shootout involving a group of criminals. The story unfolds through Verbal’s recounting of events to a police detective, Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri), as Kujan tries to piece together what happened.
The film begins with the initial arrest of several criminals, including Verbal Kint, who are brought together for a lineup by the police. Soon, they are released, and a series of events leads them into a criminal enterprise involving a mysterious figure known as Keyser Sรถze, a legendary and almost mythical criminal mastermind who is feared by all in the underworld. The criminals are recruited for a heist to steal millions of dollars worth of drugs from a ship in the harbor. As the heist unfolds, tensions rise among the group as they struggle to trust each other and follow Sรถze’s orders.
As Verbal narrates the story, the detective learns about the men involved in the heist, including the skilled and dangerous criminals: Michael McManus (Stephen Baldwin), the hot-headed leader; Fred Fenster (Benicio del Toro), a sarcastic and volatile accomplice; and Todd Hockney (Kevin Pollak), a skilled thief. Verbal, despite being weak and physically frail, presents himself as the most trustworthy member of the group. Through flashbacks and carefully crafted misdirection, the story reveals that, despite the criminals’ best efforts, the heist is a trap set by Sรถze.
In a series of shocking twists, the narrative comes to a head when it’s revealed that Verbal, the seemingly hapless informant, is the mastermind behind the entire operation. Through his detailed storytelling and manipulation of events, Verbal has outsmarted both the criminals and the police. The most shocking revelation occurs when it’s revealed that Keyser Sรถze is not a mythical figure at all, but actually Verbal himself, who had fabricated the entire story to escape capture and protect his identity. In the final moments of the film, Detective Kujan realizes he has been misled, and Verbal walks free, leaving behind a trail of deception and confusion.
The Usual Suspects is known for its intricate plotting, memorable characters, and shocking twist ending. The film explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the unreliable nature of storytelling, with Verbal’s manipulation being the central driving force behind the narrative. The filmโs iconic line, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didnโt exist,” encapsulates its exploration of illusion and truth.