The Usual Suspects

Today, I only made sure I still enjoy the film as much as I did all those years ago. I wouldn't dare say it is flawless, but it's shot in such a way that makes me ignore all the shortcomings. The cast was stellar, and as usual I enjoyed the acting performance of the one who must not be named by the decision of the International Denunciation and Inquisition Movement. Well, as I don’t give a rat’s ass about fanatics, Kevin Spacey remains one of my top ten favorite actors. (01/12/2020)

This film left me absolutely cold. For me, a very overrated affair. The actors were uninteresting, the only one who interested me here was Kevin Spacey, the rest I didn't care about. I found the plot entertaining at first, but after a while it got annoying to the point of being boring. The final twist is fine, but I can't give it more than three stars. Nothing for me. 55% (06/04/2014)

Whenever I hear the name Bryan Singer, Wolverine and his fellow X-Men from the Marvel universe immediately come to mind, but I would never have bet on him directing a detective film. That was a huge mistake! The Usual Suspects has all the makings of a masterpiece. As many reviewers have already noted, the script is truly a delight—the viewer never gets lost, and the twists are perfect. Christopher McQuarrie undoubtedly showcased his talent for screenwriting here. The cast is a clear highlight, and throughout the entire runtime, they felt incredibly likable. Kevin Spacey, in particular, stood out, essentially stealing the film with his unmatched performance. Detective films often don’t have such a well-developed plot, but here, the opposite is true. I’d also like to praise the music and cinematography. The final twist was the cherry on top—it left my eyes practically popping out of their sockets. Every film could only dream of such a brilliant ending. I didn’t find any major flaws or shortcomings, and I’ll definitely have to set aside some time for a rewatch because I want to savor it all again. It’s worth it. I give it 91%. (26/05/2017)

A script this perfect would have deserved a little more dynamic direction in my opinion. Singer does conjure up the occasional really playful scene (Kobayashi in the elevator, the cut from the scene where the cops pick up Kevin Pollak), but the whole thing has too much of an 80s static feel for me. It's helped quite a bit by the literally brutal scenes (plus, where else are you going to see a child getting killed in a shot). Otherwise, though, it's a terribly entertaining film. (17/12/2010)

A police interrogation of a criminal outcast pieces together a flashback mosaic of past events leading to the tragic explosion of a boat in the harbor. Sophisticated dark film-noir in which, in the end, everything is completely different than it seems even at the penultimate glance. A perfect screenplay built on flashback sequences and detailed characterisation, made for an unbelievable $6 million. One actor who was still unknown at the time got very lucky here in that he got a role that made him a demigod for quite some time. I want a sequel in which I can enjoy his character for more than ten seconds so that he doesn’t remain just a mythical revelation to me! (23/06/2002)