The Usual Suspects Movie Ending Explained

The Usual Suspects follows the story of a group of criminals who are brought together for a heist job and then find themselves embroiled in a complex and dangerous criminal conspiracy. The central character, Roger "Verbal" Kint, portrayed by Kevin Spacey, is the film's narrator, and we learn about the events through his retelling of the story to the police. Throughout the film, the audience is presented with a series of seemingly unrelated events, flashbacks, and unreliable narrations that gradually piece together the bigger picture.

The ending of The Usual Suspects is a climax of revelation and surprise, and it begins with Verbal Kint being questioned by U.S. Customs Special Agent Dave Kujan, played by Chazz Palminteri. Kujan is determined to uncover the truth behind a massive explosion and a gruesome massacre on a ship in the San Pedro Harbor, events that have left dozens dead and have links to the mysterious criminal mastermind, Keyser Söze.

At the start of the film, we are introduced to a mysterious and legendary figure, Keyser Söze, who is known for his ruthlessness and cunning. Kint and his criminal associates become unwittingly involved in Söze's criminal enterprise, with Söze orchestrating events from behind the scenes. As Kujan interrogates Kint, he pressures him to reveal the true identity of Keyser Söze. However, Kint initially claims to have little knowledge of Söze and insists that he's merely a small-time crook.

As Kujan continues to press Kint for information, Kint begins to recount the events that led to the ship explosion. This narrative is intercut with scenes from the past, showing the events leading up to the heist, their involvement with a corrupt lawyer named Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite), and their ultimate confrontation with Keyser Söze. Kint describes how Söze forced the criminals to complete a series of seemingly unrelated tasks that ultimately led to the ship explosion, all the while keeping his identity shrouded in secrecy.

The tension in the interrogation room grows as Kint provides more details about the criminal conspiracy. As he narrates, the audience is shown the various events he describes, including the heist and the subsequent killings of the criminals. Throughout this narrative, Kint tries to downplay his involvement and knowledge of Keyser Söze, but he gradually unveils more information, shedding light on Söze's tactics and motivations.

The turning point of The Usual Suspects comes when Kint describes a confrontation with Söze on a boat. According to Kint's story, Söze was seeking revenge against those who had wronged him. In a shocking twist, we learn that Verbal Kint himself was the only survivor of the confrontation with Söze, as Söze let him go. This revelation deepens the mystery surrounding Keyser Söze's identity and motives.

As the narrative unfolds, Kint describes how Söze disappeared into the shadows, leaving no witnesses or evidence behind. Kujan becomes increasingly frustrated as he struggles to piece together the truth. Kint concludes his story by suggesting that Keyser Söze is nothing more than a myth, a creation of the criminals' collective imagination, and that he doesn't exist in reality.

At this point, Kujan receives a fax containing a sketch of Keyser Söze's face, which is created based on Kint's description. However, Kint claims that the sketch is not accurate and that Söze's true face remains unknown. Kujan, visibly defeated and frustrated, leaves the interrogation room. As he walks away, he reflects on Kint's story and starts to see connections between the various elements of the narrative. Suddenly, pieces of the puzzle start falling into place.

Kujan rushes back to the interrogation room, realizing that he may have just figured out the true identity of Keyser Söze. He confronts Kint with his suspicions, and in a brilliant sequence, he pieces together the clues provided by Kint's own words and actions. It becomes clear that Kint has manipulated the entire narrative to hide the fact that he is, in fact, Keyser Söze.

Kujan is astounded by the revelation, and Kint calmly walks out of the police station. As he leaves, he drops the façade of physical disability he had maintained throughout the film, revealing that he had been feigning a limp the entire time. This final act of deception is the ultimate twist in a film filled with twists and turns.

The film ends with Kujan frantically searching for Kint, realizing that he has been outsmarted and that Keyser Söze has once again vanished into the shadows. The film concludes with a shot of Kint walking away from the police station, revealing that he had successfully misled everyone and that the true extent of his criminal genius has been concealed throughout the entire film.

The ending of The Usual Suspects is a masterclass in storytelling, characterized by its brilliant use of misdirection and unreliable narration. The film takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, deception, and revelation, and the final twist leaves viewers in shock and awe. The ending is a testament to the film's intricate and carefully constructed plot, with multiple layers of deception that only become apparent upon closer inspection.

The genius of the film's ending lies in its ability to manipulate the audience's perception and expectations. Throughout the movie, we are led to believe that Verbal Kint is a simple and weak-willed criminal who is easily manipulated by Keyser Söze. However, the revelation that Kint is, in fact, Keyser Söze, completely upends our understanding of the character. It forces us to reevaluate every moment and every word spoken by Kint throughout the film, revealing the depth of his cunning and deceit.

The ending also highlights the power of the unreliable narrator as a storytelling device. Verbal Kint's narration is shaped by his own agenda, and he uses it to mislead both the other characters in the film and the audience. This manipulation of perspective creates a sense of intrigue and mystery that keeps the audience engaged until the very end. The film invites viewers to question the veracity of Kint's story, and the ultimate revelation leaves them stunned by the extent of his deception.