The Usual Suspects
Following a truck hijack in New York, five criminals are arrested and brought together for questioning. As none of them are guilty, they plan a revenge operation against the police. The operation goes well, but then the influence of a legendary mastermind criminal called Keyser Söze is felt. It becomes clear that each one of them has wronged Söze at some point and must pay back now. The payback job leaves 27 men dead in a boat explosion, but the real question arises now: Who actually is Keyser Söze?
Despite its limited budget of $6.0M, The Usual Suspects became a financial success, earning $23.3M worldwide—a 288% return. The film's distinctive approach resonated with audiences, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
2 Oscars. 37 wins & 17 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Usual Suspects (1995) showcases strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Bryan Singer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Verbal Kint sits crippled in Customs office, awaiting interrogation. His ordinary world is that of a small-time con man, passive and physically weak, defined by his disability and submission to stronger men.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The five criminals, thrown together by the police lineup, decide to work together on a job to get revenge on the NYPD. This forced partnership disrupts Kint's status as a solo small-timer and pulls him into a world of bigger players.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The crew agrees to meet Redfoot for a fence job, then travel to Los Angeles for a bigger score. Kint actively chooses to continue with the crew rather than walk away. This irreversible decision launches them into increasingly dangerous territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 44% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat Kobayashi reveals they must destroy cocaine on a ship or their loved ones will be killed. False defeat: they seem trapped by Keyser Söze's power. The stakes raise dramatically - this is no longer about money but survival. The legend becomes real., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The ship raid becomes a massacre. McManus, Hockney, and Keaton all die in flames. Kint's entire crew is wiped out - literal death. In the present timeline, Kint breaks down emotionally recounting Keaton's death, his lowest point., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Kujan synthesizes the information and convinces himself (and Kint) that Keaton was Keyser Söze all along. Kint accepts this version, seemingly broken. The immunity deal is granted. New "clarity" - though it's false - allows resolution., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Usual Suspects's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Usual Suspects against these established plot points, we can identify how Bryan Singer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Usual Suspects within the crime genre.
Bryan Singer's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Bryan Singer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Usual Suspects takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bryan Singer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Bryan Singer analyses, see X-Men, Apt Pupil and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Verbal Kint sits crippled in Customs office, awaiting interrogation. His ordinary world is that of a small-time con man, passive and physically weak, defined by his disability and submission to stronger men.
Theme
Agent Kujan states: "A rumor's not a rumor that doesn't die." The theme of story, myth, and the power of belief is established. What we believe becomes truth, regardless of objective reality.
Worldbuilding
Interrogation frame established. Kint begins telling his story: the lineup six weeks ago in New York where five criminals were rounded up. We meet McManus, Fenster, Hockney, and Keaton - all stronger, more capable criminals than Kint.
Disruption
The five criminals, thrown together by the police lineup, decide to work together on a job to get revenge on the NYPD. This forced partnership disrupts Kint's status as a solo small-timer and pulls him into a world of bigger players.
Resistance
The crew debates and plans their taxi heist. Kint resists being seen as an equal, staying in his passive role. Keaton debates whether to return to crime, having tried to go straight. The crew successfully executes the New York job.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The crew agrees to meet Redfoot for a fence job, then travel to Los Angeles for a bigger score. Kint actively chooses to continue with the crew rather than walk away. This irreversible decision launches them into increasingly dangerous territory.
Mirror World
Keaton's relationship with Edie Finneran (his lawyer girlfriend) represents the thematic counterpoint - the legitimate world, truth, and the possibility of redemption. She believes in Keaton's reformation and represents what could be versus what is.
Premise
The promise of the premise: criminals doing crime jobs, building camaraderie. The crew works together in LA, executes the jewel heist, and meets lawyer Kobayashi who claims they all work for Keyser Söze and owe him a debt.
Midpoint
Kobayashi reveals they must destroy cocaine on a ship or their loved ones will be killed. False defeat: they seem trapped by Keyser Söze's power. The stakes raise dramatically - this is no longer about money but survival. The legend becomes real.
Opposition
The crew plans the ship attack while opposition intensifies. Fenster tries to flee and is killed. Kujan's interrogation pressure increases, challenging Kint's story. The unseen Söze's power seems overwhelming. Everything gets harder as they prepare for the impossible job.
Collapse
The ship raid becomes a massacre. McManus, Hockney, and Keaton all die in flames. Kint's entire crew is wiped out - literal death. In the present timeline, Kint breaks down emotionally recounting Keaton's death, his lowest point.
Crisis
Kint processes the horror of the massacre. Kujan processes what the story means, convinced Keaton is Söze. Dark emotional space as both interrogator and subject sit with the weight of the deaths and the legend of Keyser Söze.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kujan synthesizes the information and convinces himself (and Kint) that Keaton was Keyser Söze all along. Kint accepts this version, seemingly broken. The immunity deal is granted. New "clarity" - though it's false - allows resolution.
Synthesis
Kint is released and walks away. Kujan drinks coffee, satisfied. The fax arrives with the sketch artist composite. Agent Kujan realizes the truth as he sees the bulletin board details that Kint used to fabricate his story. The finale unfolds in realization, not action.