A neo-noir labyrinth of lies, this crime thriller ensnares you in a shadowy myth, where the truth shatters like a dropped coffee mug.
The Usual Suspects
"Five criminals. One line up. No coincidence."
Director:
Bryan Singer
Cast:
Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey
Drama
Crime
Thriller
Budget:
$6,000,000
Box Office:
$23,300,000
The Usual Suspects - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Bryan Singer's Parallel to The Wizard of Oz
Director Bryan Singer has mentioned that he saw parallels between "The Usual Suspects" and "The Wizard of Oz." He viewed Keyser Söze as a figure similar to the Wizard, a powerful, mythical entity whose true nature is hidden behind a curtain. The film's ending, which casts doubt on everything the audience has seen, mirrors the reveal of the man behind the curtain.
Keyser Söze's Name Clues
There are several subtle linguistic clues to Verbal's identity. In Hungarian, the word "Sozel" means "verbal." Therefore, "Keyser Soze" can be loosely translated to "King Verbal." Additionally, Kevin Spacey and Keyser Söze share the same initials (K.S.).