The Usual Suspects: 30 Years On

Bryan Singer’s outstanding 1995 thriller remains endlessly rewatchable

Credit: Gramercy Pictures/Sony

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled is convincing the world he didn’t exist.” That’s my favourite line from Christopher McQuarrie’s excellent, labyrinthine screenplay for The Usual Suspects. Written for director Bryan Singer, the film proved his breakout smash in 1995. McQuarrie subsequently became Tom Cruise’s enabler in the insurance nightmare stunts he undertakes for the Mission: Impossible series. Singer went on to helm various superhero adventures. However, The Usual Suspects constitutes the finest achievement of both parties.

I’m arguably a little premature in celebrating its 30th anniversary since this wasn’t officially premiered until that year’s Cannes Film Festival. However, it was shown at Sundance in January 1995, so I decided to jump the gun. This is one of my all-time favourite thrillers, and also features one of my all-time favourite twist endings, alongside Les Diaboliques (1955), The Sixth Sense (1999), Planet of the Apes (1968), and The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Rest assured, I wouldn’t dream of spoiling the twist in this article, so you’re safe if you’ve never seen it.