The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects

Year: 1995

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Bryan Singer

Budget: $6M

MysteryThrillerCrime

A seemingly minor heist in San Pedro draws a diverse group of criminals together, pulling them into a dangerous conspiracy linked to the mysterious and legendary crime boss, Keyser Söze. As they navigate a complex series of events involving a ship, a massacre, and a powerful lawyer, con artist Verbal Kint recounts their story to a federal agent. However, the narrative becomes increasingly convoluted, blurring the lines between truth and fabrication and culminating in a stunning twist that challenges the agent’s perception of reality.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Usual Suspects (1995)

Trace every key event in The Usual Suspects (1995) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Dean Keaton's Fatal Confrontation

Career criminal Dean Keaton finds himself seriously wounded aboard a ship docked at San Pedro Bay. In a fateful meeting with a mysterious figure known as Keyser, Dean is shot, leading to chaos as the ship is set ablaze.

San Pedro Bay
2

Discovery of the Massacre

The following day, law enforcement discovers a gruesome scene aboard the ship, revealing 27 bodies alongside only two survivors. Arkosh Kovash and Roger 'Verbal' Kint are the only ones left to recount the events that led to this tragedy.

San Pedro Bay
3

Interrogation Begins

U.S. Customs agent Dave Kujan arrives from New York City to interrogate Verbal Kint at a makeshift office set up by LAPD sergeant Jeff Rabin. Meanwhile, FBI agent Jack Baer investigates Kovach's severe burn injuries as they attempt to piece together the night's events.

LAPD makeshift office
4

Flashback to New York City

Six weeks prior in New York City, Keaton, Verbal, and their associates are captured during a police lineup for a truck hijacking. Amidst their frustration with the relentless police harassment, the group begins devising a retaliation plan.

New York City
5

Planning the Heist

Enraged by their treatment, Michael McManus suggests a heist to even the score, which initially hesitates Keaton. Eventually, he agrees, leading them to execute a daring robbery of a jewel smuggler, resulting in a significant haul of emeralds.

New York City
6

Corruption Exposed

After their successful heist, the details leak to the media, resulting in the arrest of over fifty corrupt officers. This outcome amplifies the group's notoriety and sets them on a path that will lead to dire consequences.

New York City
7

Journey to California

The crew travels to California to sell their stolen jewels through a contact named Redfoot. However, a new heist is revealed, which introduces them to a dangerous haul of synthetic heroin known as 'China White'.

California
8

The Lawyer's Revelation

Lawyer Kobayashi contacts the group, unveiling the fact that their arrests were orchestrated. He discloses that they have wronged his employer, the feared Turkish crime lord Keyser Söze, who demands their compliance in taking out a ship of Argentine drug dealers.

9

The Ill-Fated Mission

The crew embarks on a perilous mission targeting a ship loaded with drugs. Driven by the promise of a cash reward, they unwittingly put their lives at risk as they plan to destroy $91 million worth of cocaine.

10

Interrogation Unveils Secrets

As Kujan interrogates Verbal, he learns that the promised cocaine was never aboard the ship, raising questions about the true nature of Söze's involvement. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to sketch a possible likeness of Söze.

LAPD makeshift office
11

The Legend of Keyser Söze

During the interrogation, Verbal narrates a chilling backstory of Keyser Söze, a small-time dealer who brutally eliminated his own family and rivals. The legend intensifies, portraying Söze as a master tactician who eludes capture through fear and subterfuge.

12

Night of Violence

The crew, now desperate and cornered, launches a violent assault on the Argentinian and Hungarian gangsters aboard the ship. In the chaotic confrontation, an unseen shooter picks them off one by one while chaos erupts.

On the ship
13

Kujan's Suspicions

Kujan deduces that Keaton may actually be Keyser Söze, especially after uncovering connections to the murder of Arturo Marquez, represented by a deceased girlfriend of Keaton's. These revelations suggest a dark connection to the current events and lead Kujan down a twisting path.

14

Verbal's Confession

Amidst the interrogation, Verbal confesses to Keaton's manipulations, insisting on protecting him despite everything. As the dust settles, he is granted bail and walks free, leaving more questions than answers.

LAPD makeshift office
15

The Truth Revealed

In a shocking twist, Kujan realizes that Verbal's entire narrative was a clever deception drawn from random elements in Rabin's office. As Verbal exits, he drops the facade of his impairment and escapes with Kobayashi, leaving Kujan with the haunting realization of Verbal's true nature.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:48

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