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Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite ... see more see more... , Kevin Spacey , Benicio Del Toro , Dan Hedaya , Suzy Amis , Paul Bartel , Billy Bates , Michelle Clunie , Vito D'Ambrosio , Giancarlo Esposito , Christine Estabrook , Clark Gregg , Castulo Guerra , Morgan Hunter , Gene Lythgow , David Powladge , Jack Shearer , Bert Williams , Carl Bressler , Phillip Simon , Frank Medrano , Louis Lombardi , Peter Greene

Near the end of The Usual Suspects, Kevin Spacey, in his Oscar-winning performance as crippled con man Roger "Verbal" Kint, says, "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he ... read more read more...didn't exist." This may be the key line in this story; the farther along the movie goes, the more one realizes that not everything is quite what it seems, and what began as a conventional whodunit turns into something quite different. A massive explosion rips through a ship in a San Pedro, CA, harbor, leaving 27 men dead, the lone survivor horribly burned, and 91 million dollars' worth of cocaine, believed to be on board, mysteriously missing. Police detective Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) soon brings in the only witness and key suspect, "Verbal" Kint. Kint's nickname stems from his inability to keep his mouth shut, and he recounts the events that led to the disaster. Five days earlier, a truckload of gun parts was hijacked in Queens, NY, and five men were brought in as suspects: Kint, hot-headed hipster thief McManus (Stephen Baldwin), ill-tempered thug Hockney (Kevin Pollak), flashy wise guy Fenster (Benicio Del Toro), and Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), a cop gone bad now trying to go straight in the restaurant business. While in stir, someone suggests that they should pull a job together, and Kint hatches a plan for a simple and lucrative jewel heist. Despite Keaton's misgivings, the five men pull off the robbery without a hitch and fly to Los Angeles to fence the loot. Their customer asks if they'd be interested in pulling a quick job while out West; the men agree, but the robbery goes horribly wrong and they soon find themselves visited by Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite), who represents a criminal mastermind named Keyser Soze. Soze's violent reputation is so infamous that he's said to have responded to a threat to murder his family by killing them himself, just to prove that he feared no one. When Kobayashi passes along a heist proposed by Soze that sounds like suicide, the men feel that they have little choice but to agree. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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95% liked it

385,169 ratings

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89% liked it

54 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Release Date: August 16, 1995

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DVD Release Date: December 9, 1999

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Stats: 31,474 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (31,474)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    February 20, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Usual Suspects is an intense gangster film with a great cast. The film has a terrific plot and is never what it seems. This is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The film is directed by Bryan Singer and is among his best. The cast are ter... read morerific here, with great performances from Kevin Spacey (who rightfully earned an Oscar for this role) and Gabriel Byrne. This is a great heist film that like I previously stated will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The plot has numerous plot twists. This is a near perfect crime film. Kevin Spacey is excellent here and Singer has definitely picked a great cast of actors for this film. Other performances of note are Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro and Chazz Palminteri. Bryan Singers has crafted one of the best crime films of the 90's and this is a film to watch if you love films like Pulp Fiction and Heat. This is a film that has a complex plot that will most likely necessitate multiple viewings to really get to the core of its complex plot. One thing is for sure, The Usual Suspects is a film that rivals some of the best of the genre. A brilliantly acted, and plotted film that will keep you on the edge of you seat from beginning to end. Bryan Singer has made his mark in the genre with this stellar film, a definite must see for crime film fans.
  • garyX
    January 3, 2012
    garyX
    A group of hardened career criminals find themselves in the same police line up and decide to use the opportunity to pull a lucrative heist, little knowing that their strings are being pulled by a notoriously ruthless underworld figure. Bryan Singer's debut was a beautifully craf... read moreted crime thriller taking a lot of cues from the classics of Film Noir such as the Killing and The Asphalt Jungle using an excellent ensemble cast and ingenious plotting to keep you guessing as the plot twists and turns like a writhing serpent trying to wriggle free your grasp. It's one of those films you wish you could see for the first time again and again but although it clearly suffers if you know the cunning twist in the tale, The Usual Suspects still has much to offer during repeat viewings. It may lack the weightier characterisation of the likes of Heat or L.A. Confidential, but it's still easily one of the best crime stories of recent years and I implore anyone who hasn't had the ending spoiled for them yet to watch it ASAP while you still can!
  • paulkoh110
    October 27, 2011
    paulkoh110
    A great noir film for any fan of good twist and turns. The cast is fantastic with gabriel byrne leading the gang of misfits. Definitely a gem of the 90's!
  • TheGame90
    October 6, 2011
    TheGame90
    Let me speak on this one...Not sure what to say though. One side of me liked it alot. One side thought it was a little overrated. The ending was great...and I had forgotten that it was in this movie. So I got to enjoy that....The story is good. The directing is good. Kevin Spacey... read more get a lot of credit....But I think they all are good...It's a group effort. I think it will be ever better next time I see it. But I definitely recomend it.
  • fb729949618
    September 24, 2011
    fb729949618
    So simple, but so sophisticated......great film. Kevin Spacey never disappoints.
  • fb1672039553
    September 23, 2011
    fb1672039553
    Lacked chemistry among the full cast of bland, unlikeable characters. Exhaustively tedious progression - all for the final 5 minutes. This seed had to be watered a long time before it sprouted, and it felt like a chore. The more I saw of it, the more I didn't want it anyway. I'll... read more just remember my other plant named Reservoir Dogs.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 1, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    While this film is an iconoclast all to itself, the dark empathy towards the criminal element is just as psychologically thrilling as it is action packed. Lovably hedonistic and cast to the nines, the film is reminiscent of the Thin Man series, while also including gangster ruffi... read moreans, and downplaying stereotypes of the genre. The main reason why this film differs from most of the genre is that insatiably delicious twist ending, ruined for almost everyone by America's obsession with pop culture references. Still, being led by the nose doesn't make this film better by any means. I myself am a victim of a ruined ending, and the only thing that made it less than ideal was knowing I would never be as wowed by the surprise as any other first time viewer. It might be more understandable in fact, the intricate nature of the plot more excitable when motive is apparent, like a sinister magic trick. Performances by the main five characters include a barely audible del Toro, a madcap gunman from Baldwin, reformed yet roguish Byrne, hackneyed Pollack, and the gimpy, naive Verbal, played by masterful Kevin Spacey. By the way, all the names are so original, I want to pluck them and make them my own invention. The action is thoughtful, but awe inspiring, the dialogue has the right aforethought and tone, and the tangled mess of killing, redemption, and disturbing calculations is that of a political diatribe, but punctuated with all the thrill of a noir. Perfect for a day of mental thought.
  • blkbomb
    July 30, 2011
    blkbomb
    Verbal: The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. 

    "The truth is always in the last place you look"

    I finally watched The Usual Suspects. I went in with huge expectations, which can sometimes destroy a movie, but this exceeded them and ... read morethen some. I don't only like the movie for it's twist ending, which I did see coming. Even though the twist was what I expected, it was still really cool and satisfying to see how Bryan Singer pulled everything together at the end. 

    The film works because of a great cast of characters. All of the five "Usual Suspects"  are well thought out and are all interesting in their own little way. The Keyser Soze aspect of the movie is really genius. You create a villain that no one has seen and that no one knows is real or not. We hear rumors about what he's done and how far he's willing to go. Then you throw people in who says he's real and people who says he's not. It creates fear for something. Like the devil, not knowing is the scariest thing about him. Kevin Spacey's performance was amazing and his narration is really good and the writing is brilliant. There are a couple of scenes that are just off the charts in how good they turn out.

    I am completely in love with this movie. It's one of the few movies where I can't understand why anyone wouldn't like it. It's as entertaining as any movie you can throw out for discussion and it's pretty intelligent. It's not a movie like Speed(which I like), that is extremely entertaining, but really stupid and has endless impossible action sequences that make no sense. 

    The Usual Suspects is a new favorite of mine, that I can see myself watching again very soon. Oh and one more time, Kevin Spacey kicked ass in this movie.

    Verbal: And like that... he is gone. 
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    June 10, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    I found it very difficult to get into this and didn't think the characters and narrative was introduced well enough. I wasn't sure what was going on as it kept flitting between different locations. It wasn't until half way through I realised Spacey was telling a story and we watc... read morehed the flashbacks. I liked the arc of the movie though and although I guessed the twist, it was a very good and concealed one at that.
  • ythelastman89
    June 7, 2011
    ythelastman89
    A great example of a movie that is almost too popular for its own good. Now there'd be nothing wrong with that if people enjoyed this for the great film making, cast of characters and story. However, this movie is only remembered for its twist ending and nothing else. Now I am de... read morefinitely someone who stands by the fact that this movie is a lot better than that. While it's not flawless, it's definitely one of the more interesting ways to go about making a crime movie in a post Pulp Fiction setting. Bryan Singer's first time directing is amazing and feels way more polished and handled with care. While some of the plot points and characters can get too big for their own shoes, the atmosphere of the movie is always done just right.
    I used to be a supporter of the fact that this a movie that you can't re-watch and have the same pleasure as you did the first time around. While I still feel this is partially true, it becomes enjoyable on new levels and it's clear how much effort was put into the main plot and twist at the end. It also helps that Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne and Chazz Palminteri are great in their roles. Even though bizarre appearances from Stephen Baldwin and Kevin Pollak don't really work, they do fit the bill as talentless thugs. The Usual Suspects is a very risky movie and I think for the most part it accomplishes everything it sets out to do.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 28, 2011
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

I didn't believe this story for a minute, even in movie terms -- though it's less offensive than a piece of junk like Apt Pupil, Singer's subsequent feature. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
October 18, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A terrific cast of exciting actors socks over this absorbingly complicated yarn that's been spun in seductively slick fashion by director Bryan Singer. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This movie finally isn't anything more than an intricate feat of gamesmanship, but it's still quite something to see. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The Usual Suspects is the freshest, funniest and scariest crime thriller to come along since Pulp Fiction.

Kenneth Turan
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

But like a tale from the Arabian Nights, told for the sheer pleasure of storytelling, this elegant puzzle not only enjoys showing off, it also has something to show. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Nothing is what it seems in this layered, velvety movie (which was shot in handsome wide-screen format) -- the truth keeps shifting -- and nothing matters either. Full Review

Sean Means
January 1, 2000
Sean Means, Film.com

Next to the steady diet of Hollywood formula, contrived plots and situations a regular moviegoer can spot a mile off, The Usual Suspects is something quite different: A movie that's smarter than you are.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The Usual Suspects is an accomplished synthesis of noir elements and, as such, is an entertaining entry to the genre. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

After following the beckoning twists and turns, you're left trapped and more than a little disappointed for getting in so deep. Full Review

Andy Spletzer
January 1, 2000
Andy Spletzer, Film.com

After I first saw the film, I recommended it to people as an entertaining and commercial crime thriller; a standard story done very well. And then I saw it again. The movie is so much better the secon...

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Facts

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    • Arkosh Kovash: Kaiser SOZE!
    • Roger "Verbal" Kint: The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
    • McManus: Fucko? [flapping lips]
    • Todd Hockney: Hand me the keys, you fucking cocksucker.
    • Arresting Officer: #2, step forward.
    • McManus: Give me the fuckin' keys, you fuckin' cocksucka. Motherfucka, blahhhhhhh!!!!
    • Arresting Officer: Knock it off, get back. #3, step forward.
    • Fred Fenster: Give me the keys, ya cocksucka.
    • Arresting Officer: In English, please?
    • Fred Fenster: Excuse me?
    • Arresting Officer: In English.
    • Fred Fenster: Give me the fuckin' keys, you cocksucka. What the fuck?
    • Roger "Verbal" Kint: You think you can catch Keyser Soze? You think a guy like that comes this close to getting caught and sticks his head out? If he comes up for anything, it will be to get rid of me. After that... my guess is you'll never hear from him again.
    • Roger "Verbal" Kint: Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze.
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The Usual Suspects Trivia

  • From the film "The Usual Suspects" (1995) The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was:  Answer »
  • Who has starred in the movies Se7en, The usual suspects and L.A Confidential?  Answer »
  • What film has this quote:What the cops never figured out and what I know now , was these men would never break , never lie down, never bend over for anybody .Anybody ?  Answer »
  • In which movie would you hear this quote: "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."  Answer »
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