1995 Rewind: The Usual Suspects


It's hard to believe, but 1995 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1995 that are turning 30 in 2025. Today, it's an engaging and memorable thriller.

Verbal: After that, my guess is that you'll never hear from him again. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that... he's gone.

The Usual Suspects
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollack, and Chazz Palminteri
Director: Bryan Singer
About: It's not fun to talk about Singer or Spacey these days, especially with what's transpired off screen. But there was a time when both were red-hot, especially in the mid to late-1990s. That really begins here, with this film. It starts cooking thanks to the script from Christopher McQuarrie, who has gone on to script and direct some top-shelf action films. But here, it's the mystery and the layers that work beautifully. That combined with the performances create an iconic story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It was a huge hit at the time, one that earned Academy Award attention and wins. It's a lot of fun and it's well worth checking out. It is still great, a near masterpiece, even 30 years later.

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