The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects

From At the Movies in the 90s by Film Stories

February 27, 2026 · 1h 1m · Episode 77

About this episode

The episode discusses the film 'The Usual Suspects' and the implications of its creators' reputations on its legacy.

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." In the latest episode of AT THE MOVIES IN THE 90s, your hosts A. J. Black & Mark McManus take a look at 1995's modern noir from director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie, The Usual Suspects. Feted at the time as an immediate crime noir classic, a reputation that burned for two decades, Singer's film feels increasingly sidelined thanks to the sullied reputation of he and star Kevin Spacey, but is this fair of audiences? Tony and Mark wade into the thorny Art vs Artist debate as they make the case for a remarkable film. Will you be convinced? Find out... Host / Editor A. J. Black Co-Host Mark McManus Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/atthemoviesinthe90s Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'I Am Changing' by Isaac Elliott (c) epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: A. J. Black

Topics covered

  • crime noir
  • Art vs Artist debate
  • 1990s cinema
  • film analysis
  • director spotlight

Keywords

  • The Usual Suspects
  • Bryan Singer
  • Christopher McQuarrie
  • Kevin Spacey
  • 1995 film
  • crime noir
  • Art vs Artist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Film Stories

Books & works: The Usual Suspects

More episodes of At the Movies in the 90s

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the At the Movies in the 90s podcast page.