Suspect

Suspect

Year: 1960

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Directors: Roy Boulting, John Boulting

Thriller

When a government task force develops a cure for a deadly plague, their findings are classified under the Official Secrets Act. Frustrated by the secrecy, one team member is persuaded by the crippled, jealous companion of a female colleague to commit an act that borders on treason, putting humanity’s survival at risk.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Suspect (1960) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Suspect (1960), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A gripping tale of mystery and intellect, this story centers around a murder that leaves the police baffled, unable to find any loopholes in the main suspect’s alibi, creating a seemingly impossible puzzle for investigators. The plot intricately weaves around Yasuko Hanaoka, a divorced, single mother who owns a restaurant, and her teenaged daughter Misato. Living nearby is Tetsuya Ishigami, a reclusive yet brilliant mathematics teacher, portrayed by Shinichi Tsutsumi. Ishigami is depicted as an introverted and serious man, whose mornings are brightened only by his daily interactions with Yasuko, from whom he often purchases lunch.

The story takes a dark turn when Yasuko’s abusive ex-husband, Togashi, unexpectedly appears at her apartment one night, demanding money and threatening both Yasuko and Misato. The situation quickly spirals out of control, culminating in Yasuko and her daughter defending themselves, leading to Togashi being killed in self-defense. Hearing the commotion from his room and deducing what has happened, Ishigami offers his aid to Yasuko and Misato. He doesn’t just help dispose of the body but also meticulously plans their cover-up, demonstrating remarkable calmness and tactical thinking in crisis.

When the body is discovered and identified, Yasuko naturally becomes the prime suspect. The case becomes more complicated as Detectives Kaoru Utsumi and Shunpei Kusanagi delve into the investigation, working tirelessly to uncover the truth. Their efforts lead them to seek the expertise of Professor Manabu Yukawa, a renowned scientist known for his analytical mind. Initially reluctant, Yukawa is persuaded to investigate after discovering that his former classmate—Ishigami—is Yasuko’s neighbor, sparking a reunion filled with admiration but also suspicion.

Yukawa’s curiosity is piqued, and he begins to doubt whether Ishigami could really be involved. As he digs deeper, a tense battle of wits unfolds between the two brilliant minds—Ishigami and Yukawa—each trying to outthink the other. The story masterfully showcases Yukawa’s efforts to protect Yasuko while uncovering the truth, which ultimately reveals a shocking and heartbreaking truth that impacts everyone involved.

Despite his reputation for being somewhat detached when solving crimes, Yukawa finds himself profoundly affected by the outcome of this case, emphasizing the emotional toll that the pursuit of justice can sometimes entail. The narrative is a testament to the complexities of human nature, justice, and the often-hidden truths lurking beneath seemingly simple events.

“The truth is often stranger than fiction,”

This story manages to combine intellectual suspense with emotional depth, making it a compelling exploration of morality, deception, and the power of the mind to unravel mysteries no matter how carefully concealed. With a cast of nuanced characters and a plot thick with twists and turns, it delivers a long, detailed journey into the depths of human psyche and the stark reality of crime and justice.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Thrillers about moral crisis and secrecy like Suspect

Ethical dilemmas and classified truths lead to devastating personal fallout.If you liked the ethical dilemmas and high-stakes tension of Suspect, explore movies like it where brilliant minds are tormented by classified knowledge. These complex thrillers focus on the heartbreaking personal cost of secrecy and the tragic outcomes when principle clashes with protocol.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a protagonist with privileged access to critical information who is forced to question the ethics of their organization. The plot revolves around a difficult choice—to expose the truth or maintain secrecy—with the resulting actions triggering a chain of events that leads to betrayal, downfall, and a deeply saddening conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a focus on intellectual suspense driven by moral quandaries rather than physical action. They feature a heavy emotional weight, complex plots, and a consistently tense tone, exploring how the pursuit of truth can become a destructive, personally devastating act.

Movies with genius vs genius battles like Suspect

A high-stakes battle of wits between brilliant minds ends in profound loss.Fans of the intellectual duel in Suspect will enjoy these movies that pit brilliant minds against each other in a high-stakes battle of wits. These stories feature complex plots, steady pacing, and a tense atmosphere, often concluding with a sad or bittersweet realization of the human cost of intellectual supremacy.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves two highly intelligent protagonists or antagonists engaged in a strategic conflict. The plot is advanced through clever moves and countermoves, with each side anticipating the other's thoughts. The journey is emotionally taxing, and the resolution, while intellectually satisfying, often comes at a great personal or moral cost, leaving a melancholic aftermath.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films through their shared core of an intellectual showdown. They possess a high tension score, steady or methodical pacing, and a complex structure that rewards close attention. The experience is defined by anxious suspense and the heavy emotional weight of a tragic conclusion to a battle fought with minds, not fists.

Unlock the Full Story of Suspect

Don't stop at just watching — explore Suspect in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Suspect is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Suspect Timeline

Track the full timeline of Suspect with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Suspect Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Suspect

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Suspect. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Suspect

Suspect Spoiler-Free Summary

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Suspect Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Suspect

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