The Usual Suspects, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, recently won over the public with its arrival in the Netflix catalog.
Since then, it has stood out as the most watched film on the streaming platform. As an engaging plot, it has captured the attention of viewers.
In the film Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) enjoys a happy life with his wife Grace (Maria Bello) and his children Ralph (Dylan Minnette) and Anna (Erin Gerasimovich) in Boston, United States.
One day, during a visit to the home of their great friends Franklin (Terrence Howard) and Nancy Birch (Viola Davis), something terrible happens without them noticing: little Anna and Joy (Kyla Drew Simmons), the Birchs’ daughter, mysteriously disappear.
Desperate, the families turn to the police, and the case quickly falls into the hands of determined detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). Before long, Loki arrests Alex (Paul Dano), but he is released after 48 hours due to a lack of evidence. Alex is discovered to have the IQ of a 10-year-old, leading the police to believe he is not involved in the disappearance.
However, Keller is convinced of Alex’s guilt and decides to take drastic measures. He kidnaps Alex, determined to get the truth out of him, whatever the cost. What follows is a tense game of cat and mouse, where the boundaries of morality are tested in the name of justice and a father’s desperation in search of the truth.
Is it inspired by a true story?
The Usual Suspects is actually inspired by a short story written by screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski. This original short story, conceived in 2007, featured the story of a father whose son is hit by a runaway driver and is subsequently placed in a well in the backyard.
Although Guzikowski wrote the original script in 2009, which received acclaim and inclusion on the Hollywood Black List, the project faced years of development before Denis Villeneuve took over as director.
It is important to note that the plot of The Usual Suspects was not based on any famous real-life child abduction cases, as revealed by Guzikowski in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. He emphasized that he was not inspired by real events, although he admits to having heard about such cases while writing, which may have subtly influenced his narrative.
Although it received critical praise and was nominated for several awards, including a standout performance from Hugh Jackman, The Usual Suspects is sometimes least remembered among Denis Villeneuve’s films, which include notable works such as Sicario: No Man’s Land, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and Dune.
Watch the trailer for The Usual Suspects that is available on Netflix:
