The Usual Suspects (Arrow Video – UHD)

Director: Bryan Singer
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite, Suzy Amis, Giancarlo Esposito, Dan Hedaya
Country: United States
Running Time: 106 min
BBFC Rating: 18
Year: 2024

Who is Keyser Soze? This is the question on the lips of every character in Bryan Singer’s feature debut, The Usual Suspects, as well as the question on the lips of cinemagoers on its 1995 release. Telling the story of five career criminals who meet in a police line up and agree to team up for a job, The Usual Suspects is a 90’s noir movie coming off the back of the popularity from Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction which is equal parts thriller and mystery. As our ragtag gang of crooks start to bite off more than they can chew, they cross paths with the eponymous and unseen Soze and their lives spiral into deceit, double crossing and a final job which may be more than it seems.

Arguably where The Usual Suspects succeeds in remaining engaging 30 years after its original release is in its pacing. Told non-linearly as the sole survivor of that last job, “Verbal” Kint (Spacey) is interrogated by customs agent Kujan (Palminteri) who is desperate to understand what happened to his once nemesis Keaton (Byrne), viewers are taken on a journey which starts out straightforward and ends with a mystery that is ultimately revealed with a final twist that’s arguably the thing that gets fans talking.

Even though it’s 30 years old, it would be unfair to spoil that twist (if you know, you know) but the big question I had is “Does it still hold up?” As with any film, knowing the twist going in forces you to watch it differently and what stood out for me is, other than a couple of lines of dialogue and asides, just how little the ultimate twist is actually telegraphed by the story. This is of course down to the nature of the twist itself which relies on that much maligned cinematic trope of the “unreliable narrator”, but for me I still think it’s an interesting reveal which does much to re-contextualise what we do know as accurate in the story.

One of the biggest benefits that The Usual Suspects have, though, is in the talent both behind and in front of the camera. The ensemble cast is brilliant with each of the criminals feeling like a fully fleshed out character, portrayed wonderfully by their respective actors, from a moody and detached Gabriel Byrne as Keaton, to the violent and dangerous McManus (Baldwin) it’s arguably Spacey as Kint and Benicio Del Toro as the muttering Fenster who stand out among a strong collection of actors.

Behind the camera, Bryan Singer pretty much kickstarted his directorial career with this film, deftly directed from a smart script from Christopher McQuarrie (now a highly respected director himself with his final part of the Mission:Impossible series due later in 2025), while cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel never creates a dull frame, delivering interesting, kinetic shots that look beautifully noirish and moody. Add to that an equally moody and understated soundtrack by composer John Ottman, who was also responsible for the tight, zippy editing, you have a film that most definitely lives up to its reputation.

There is a somewhat large elephant in the room when it comes to talking about The Usual Suspects, however – or rather two to be precise. I am of course talking about actor Kevin Spacey and director Bryan Singer, two people whose careers arguably skyrocketed after this film released and who both threw them spectacularly away in recent years. While I don’t want to get into the “art vs artist” discussion, Spacey and Singers transgressions do arguably hang over a modern viewing of what is for the most part an undeniable classic. There are a few other parts of the film which have arguably aged poorly as well, from a few casually used slurs to whatever the heck accent Pete Postlethwaite is doing (Japanese? Indian? European?) but if you’re willing to accept the larger “issues” then The Usual Suspects is still a film well worth watching.

Bonus Features

• 4K restoration from the original negative approved by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie
• Audio commentary with editor and composer John Ottman
• The Devil in the Details, an archival interview with Newton Thomas Sigel
• Archival interview with John Ottman
• Round Up: Deposing the Usual Suspects, a two-part featurette delving into the creation and production of The Usual Suspects with clips, interviews with key figures, and footage from the making of the film
• Keyser Söze (Lie or Legend?), an archival featurette
• Heisting Cannes with The Usual Suspects, archival footage from the film’s world premiere at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival
• Introducing The Usual Suspects, an original EPK featurette
• Deleted scenes with introduction by John Ottman
• Gag reel
• Interview outtakes with Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Benicio del Toro, and Bryan Singer
• International trailer
• U.S. trailer with introduction by John Ottman
• TV spots
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Barry Forshaw
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket

While all of the features presented on this Arrow Video release can be found on the films original DVD, this is the first time they’ve been available for quite a number of years, and we even have a tasty 4K restoration of the film to boot.

The UHD presentation here is as immaculate as you’d expect from an Arrow release with HDR producing some crisp blacks and bold colours. The audio transfer meanwhile is equally crispy with dialogue coming through bright and clear, even in some of the films busier moments. This is a lovely set for fans and a great return for a genuinely fun mystery thriller.