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The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 crime thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 crime thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The story centers on the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint, who recounts the events behind a violent ship explosion and the elusive crime lord Keyser Söze. The film is widely known for its twist ending and won two Academy Awards.

Plot

The story is framed as an interrogation of Verbal Kint, the only surviving witness who explains a chain of crimes, a police lineup, and a shipboard massacre. His account gradually introduces the mythic criminal figure Keyser Söze.

Production

The Usual Suspects was directed by Bryan Singer from a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie. It was released in 1995 and runs about 106 minutes.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast includes Kevin Spacey as Verbal Kint, Gabriel Byrne as Dean Keaton, Chazz Palminteri as David Kujan, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, and Kevin Pollak.

Reception and awards

The film became known for its twist and suspenseful structure, and it received major awards recognition. Its screenplay and Kevin Spacey’s supporting performance each won Academy Awards.

Key facts

  • The film follows a police interrogation after a deadly ship explosion in San Pedro, near Los Angeles.
  • Roger “Verbal” Kint narrates the story of how he and other criminals became involved with the mysterious Keyser Söze.
  • Bryan Singer directed the film, and Christopher McQuarrie wrote the screenplay.
  • Kevin Spacey won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and McQuarrie won for Best Original Screenplay.
  • The film is commonly associated with its twist ending and nonlinear storytelling.
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Canadian context

The film has been available in Canadian home-video and streaming catalogues, and it is part of the broader canon of internationally recognized crime thrillers watched by Canadian audiences.[11][14]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Usual Suspects about?
It is about a police interrogation after a deadly ship explosion, with a suspect named Verbal Kint describing the crimes and the criminal mastermind Keyser Söze.
Who directed The Usual Suspects?
Bryan Singer directed the film.
Who wrote The Usual Suspects?
Christopher McQuarrie wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in The Usual Suspects?
The cast includes Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, and Kevin Pollak.
What awards did The Usual Suspects win?
It won Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.
Why is The Usual Suspects well known?
It is especially known for its intricate structure and twist ending.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Usual_Suspects
    Supports: Basic plot description and core premise.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/
    Supports: Film identification, cast, genre, and critical description of the twist and storytelling.
  3. Wikipediahttps://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Usual_Suspects_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, and Academy Award wins.
  4. IMDb repositoryhttps://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~wcai/784files/imdb_Repository/imdb_000288.html
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, director, writer, stars, and plot summary.
  5. MovieMeterhttps://www.moviemeter.com/movies/crime/the-usual-suspects
    Supports: Runtime, country, director, release date, and plot elements.
  6. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-usual-suspects/umc.cmc.w0zax063fwhvr49p0czxmwba
    Supports: Synopsis and release year.
  7. Wikipediahttps://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Usual_Suspects
    Supports: Canadian viewer relevance through availability and title recognition in a Canadian context.