--- title: "The Usual Suspects: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-usual-suspects/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-usual-suspects" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Usual Suspects (1995): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 10 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise falls in two places: Christopher McQuarrie’s script and the ensemble that delivers it. The reviews describe a labyrinthine puzzle that keeps its grip from first scene to last, credit Singer’s discipline behind the camera, and say the film holds up to a second viewing, which is not something every twist-driven thriller can claim. Several note a dry, wicked humour running under the double-crosses. Later assessments treat it as a fixture of the 1990s neo-noir revival rather than a period curiosity. The spread is wide. The two dissenters, RogerEbert.com and Slant Magazine, make the same complaint: the film is built to serve its twist and there is little underneath once the trick is known, with character motivation giving way to manipulation. The New York Times, broadly approving, also finds it short on emotional depth. Even admirers admit it can be maddening, and The New Yorker spots one weak link in the cast. ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The film is a morbid, disturbing, labyrinthine journey into the darker recesses of the criminal psyche and a dazzlingly proficient piece of filmmaking that confirms Singer as a prodigious talent. It borders on genius with its intelligent script, fine cast and skilful manipulation of image and sound. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/usual-suspects-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 August 1995. The film is a polished, virtuoso-style criminal roller coaster and maze of twists that viewers will enjoy getting lost in, driven by director Singer's disciplined control and the vigorous screenplay. It offers pure stylistic pleasure alongside its tale of power and betrayal. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-16-ca-35554-story.html) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 August 1995. Festival review. The neo-noir mystery is praised for its complexity, wicked storytelling, and ability to outsmart the viewer, delivering pleasure in its tall-tale structure and paranoia. The nocturnal tone and ensemble cast (with one noted weak link) enhance its appeal over similar crime films. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/08/14/the-big-roundup) ## The Independent — Ryan Gilbey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 1996. The film is more opaque than similar thrillers, with deception built into its structure. It is a maddening movie that pulls fast ones but offers dust-dry humour and an unfaltering grip if the viewer is prepared to take it on the chin. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/video-roundup-5625374.html) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 September 2016. This labyrinthine, very well played thriller never lets up, involving five criminals brought together by the mysterious Keyser Soze. Working from Christopher McQuarrie's marvellously tortuous script, Singer creates a classy, thought-provoking mystery that is pleasingly old-fashioned yet modern in its play with myth and storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-usual-suspects) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 August 1995. The stylish film noir succeeds as an intricate, twisty ensemble piece with sharp dialogue and strong performances that will reward repeat viewings. It excels at gamesmanship and visual flair but falls short on emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/16/movies/film-review-putting-guys-like-that-in-a-room-together.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 18 August 1995. The critic finds the twisty plot ultimately unsatisfying and prefers stories driven by character motivation rather than clever manipulation. The interrogation scenes and Verbal's narration are noted but do not overcome the feeling that there is less substance than the film suggests. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-usual-suspects-1995) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 2 April 2002. The critic finds the film overly reliant on its famous twist ending and lightweight in its engagement with noir conventions. He concludes that it amounts to little more than sound and fury signifying nothing. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-usual-suspects/) ## Eye for Film — Jeff Robson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 2009. The critic finds the film still fresh and ranks it as Bryan Singer's best work, praising its expertly sustained puzzle, witty energy, and peerless ensemble cast that rewards repeated viewings. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-usual-suspects-film-review-by-jeff-robson) ## The Ringer — Brian Raftery Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2021. The critic positions The Usual Suspects as a key example of the 1990s neo-noir revival, noting its knotty plots, amoral protagonists, and irredeemable villains alongside other films of the era. He argues these movies reflected a disorienting time of economic and social unease rather than mere nostalgia. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2021/07/07/movies/nineties-neo-noir-film-history-usual-suspects-basic-instinct) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-usual-suspects.md