A landmark 1990s crime thriller, celebrated for featuring what many fans call the 'greatest twist in cinema history', has just arrived for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
A Twist That Defined a Generation
Directed by Bryan Singer, The Usual Suspects was released 30 years ago but continues to captivate new audiences. The film boasts an all-star ensemble including Benicio del Toro, Gabriel Byrne, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey, alongside a pre-Breaking Bad Giancarlo Esposito. Spacey stars as the small-time conman Roger 'Verbal' Kint, the sole survivor of a bloody massacre on a docked ship in Los Angeles.
Under police interrogation, Kint weaves a complex tale of the mythical and terrifying crime lord Keyser Söze, setting the stage for one of film's most shocking and enduring revelations. The movie's conclusion is so iconic that it still sparks fervent discussion online, with viewers on X (formerly Twitter) declaring it 'still blows minds'.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Legacy
The film's quality is reflected in its stellar review scores. It holds an 87% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN labelling it a 'masterpiece of the modern film noir genre'. Empire Magazine praised its 'taut intrigue, dazzling plotting and criminal psychology'. Perhaps more tellingly, the audience score is a near-perfect 96% from over 250,000 ratings.
The Usual Suspects was a career-defining project, earning Kevin Spacey an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and launching Bryan Singer into Hollywood's directorial A-list. It also contributed the famous line to popular culture: 'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.'
Remembering the Cast and Streaming Now
The article also pays tribute to the late actor Peter Greene, who played the pivotal role of Redfoot the Fence. Greene, known for roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, passed away last year at age 60.
Despite subsequent controversies involving its leading figures, the film's status as one of the most influential crime thrillers ever made remains untarnished. For those ready to experience—or re-experience—its genius, The Usual Suspects is available to stream right now on Amazon Prime Video.
