The Usual Suspects

Brief Intro

“The Usual Suspects,” directed by Bryan Singer and released in 1995, is a neo-noir mystery thriller that follows the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a small-time con man, who spins a convoluted tale of events leading up to a massacre and fire on a ship. The film is renowned for its complex narrative structure, unexpected twists, and the infamous reveal of Keyser Söze’s identity. 🌟🕵️‍♂️

Literary Devices Used in The Usual Suspects

1. Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Opening sequence	The lighter dropping into gasoline hints at future events.
Verbal’s limp	Early hints at Verbal’s true nature.

2. Unreliable Narrator

Movie Scene	Device Example
Verbal’s entire narrative	His storytelling is biased and misleading.
Kobayashi’s character	His existence and role are questionable.

3. Red Herring

Movie Scene	Device Example
Identification line-up	Misleads the audience on who Keyser Söze is.
Detective Kujan’s theories	His focus on Keaton diverts attention from the true mastermind.

4. Flashbacks

Movie Scene	Device Example
Verbal’s recounting	Entire plot is revealed through flashbacks.
Keaton’s past	His criminal background is explored through flashbacks.

5. Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Verbal’s transformation	Verbal, seemingly weak, is the mastermind.
The detective’s belief	Kujan is convinced he’s figured it all out, but he hasn’t.

6. Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Broken coffee mug	Represents shattered illusions and realization of the truth.
The lighter	Symbolizes Keyser Söze’s dangerous nature.

7. Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
“The greatest trick…”	“The devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
Verbal’s limp	Represents his perceived weakness and deception.

8. Allusion

Movie Scene	Device Example
Keyser Söze’s myth	References various cultural tales of legendary criminals.
The barbershop quartet	Alludes to traditional crime films and their ensemble casts.

9. Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
The cigarette lighter	Repeatedly appears, symbolizing danger and secrets.
Interrogation scenes	Highlight the theme of uncovering the truth.

10. Dramatic Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Kujan’s confidence	Audience knows more than Kujan about Verbal’s deception.
The final walk	Verbal’s transformation is known to the audience but not to the characters.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Roger “Verbal” Kint

Literary Device	Explanation
Unreliable Narrator	Verbal’s narrative manipulates the audience’s perception of events.
Irony	His transformation from a seemingly weak character to the mastermind.

Dean Keaton

Literary Device	Explanation
Flashbacks	Reveal his complex past and motivations.
Red Herring	His portrayal as a potential Keyser Söze misleads both characters and audience.

Keyser Söze

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Represents the embodiment of fear and control.
Allusion	His mythical status draws on legendary criminal archetypes.

Detective Kujan

Literary Device	Explanation
Dramatic Irony	His confidence contrasts with the audience’s awareness of Verbal’s deceit.
Symbolism	The broken coffee mug symbolizes his shattered understanding.

Character Dynamics

Verbal and Keaton

• Their relationship is complex, filled with manipulation and distrust, driving the tension and mystery of the narrative.

Verbal and Detective Kujan

• This dynamic is central to the plot, with Kujan’s interrogation and Verbal’s storytelling creating a cat-and-mouse game that keeps the audience guessing.

Thematic Analysis

Truth vs. Deception

Device	Explanation
Unreliable Narrator	Verbal’s deceptive storytelling blurs the line between truth and lies.
Dramatic Irony	The audience knows the truth about Verbal’s identity, unlike the characters.

The Power of Fear

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Keyser Söze symbolizes the ultimate fear and control.
Metaphor	The character of Söze represents an almost supernatural force of terror.

Identity and Perception

Device	Explanation
Irony	Verbal’s true identity as Keyser Söze is hidden under his perceived weakness.
Motif	The recurring interrogation scenes explore how identity can be manipulated.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Flashbacks	Non-linear editing	Enhances the fragmented nature of the narrative, reflecting the unreliable narrator.
Irony	Visual juxtaposition	Contrasts Verbal’s meek appearance with his true identity.
Symbolism	Close-up shots	Focuses on objects like the lighter and coffee mug to emphasize their symbolic meaning.
Dramatic Irony	Sound design	Uses suspenseful music to heighten the tension between what the audience knows and what the characters believe.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene 1: The Line-Up

• YouTube Link: The Usual Suspects – Line-Up Scene
• Breakdown: This scene uses humor and tension, setting the stage for the film’s exploration of identity and deception. The casual banter and mistrust among the characters introduce the theme of unreliable perception.

Scene 2: The Final Reveal

• YouTube Link: The Usual Suspects – Final Scene
• Breakdown: This iconic scene masterfully uses dramatic irony, visual symbolism (the broken coffee mug), and a twist ending to reveal Verbal’s true identity, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Conclusion

Let’s test your knowledge! 🎉

Interactive Quiz:

1. What literary device is primarily used in Verbal’s narrative?
   • A) Foreshadowing
   • B) Unreliable Narrator
   • C) Symbolism
2. Which character is a classic example of a Red Herring?
   • A) Verbal Kint
   • B) Dean Keaton
   • C) Detective Kujan
3. What is symbolized by the broken coffee mug?
   • A) Deception
   • B) Shattered truth
   • C) Fear
4. How does the film’s non-linear editing enhance its narrative?
   • A) By creating confusion
   • B) By reflecting the unreliable narrator
   • C) By emphasizing key themes