The Usual Suspects ending explained: A plot twist that no one sees coming even 30 years later

The Usual Suspects is one of the films whose ending is more famous than the film itself. Directed by Bryan Singer, the crime thriller is written by Christopher McQuarrie. It had its world premiere at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 1995, and was released theatrically on August 16, 1995. Here's the official synopsis as per Letterboxd,

Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that a mythic crime lord, Keyser Soze, not only exists, but was also responsible for drawing him and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro harbor – leaving few survivors. Verbal lures his interrogators with an incredible story of the crime lord’s almost supernatural prowess.

Let's look at its twist ending that continues to fascinate people 30 years after its release.

How does The Usual Suspects end?

A still from The Usual Suspects | Image via Paramount Movies Digital

The Usual Suspects focuses on conman Roger Kint, aka Verbal (played by Kevin Spacey), who is being interrogated by the cops regarding a ship dock fire and massacre. Kint and another man were the only ones who survived that ordeal. As the story progresses, he starts telling the authorities about their mob boss, Keyser Soze, and how the ship incident at the port came into place.

Towards the end, Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) finds out that Arturo Marquez was the prisoner who was m*rdered at the port. He had earlier stated that he would help the cops in identifying Soze. Marquez was about to be sold by the Argentinian people to their rival gang, and his lawyer was Edie Finneran.

Kujan then puts two and two together and feels that Keaton is the real Soze. He carried out the killing to eliminate Marquez to fake his own death. Verbal eventually reveals that it was Keaton all along. However, he fears for his life and decides not to give his testimony in court. He is eventually released.

The shocking conclusion of The Usual Suspects

The main trick of The Usual Suspects is the realization that Kujan has it wrong after Verbal walks scott-free. He looks around his office and sees all those words and names Verbal had been using in his story. It doesn't take him another second to realize that Verbal had come up with a fake story and was making things up on the spot through the details inside the office. After walking out of the station, Verbal's limp is gone, and he is flexing his arms.

The police station later sees Soze's sketch, which is similar to Verbal's face. The latter manages to leave before Kujan arrives to catch him. Throughout his confession, Verbal manages to create an image of Soze as a mysterious figure who is also dangerous.

The ending is like the magician pulling the last trick or someone pulling the rug under your feet. Unlike several twist endings, this one doesn't cheat the audience as it's earned. Verbal continues to drop several small details that are taken from the office. For example, the character name of Kobayashi was taken from Kujan's coffee cup.

What are your thoughts about the ending?