The Usual Suspects Criminality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Usual Suspects.

Quote #4

FENSTER: They treat me like a criminal. I'll end up a criminal.

HOCKNEY: You are a criminal.

FENSTER: Why you gotta go and do that? I'm trying to make a point.

This is how the criminals in Verbal's version of events justify their behavior. The cops hassle them by accusing them of participating in a hijacking, so, to get back at them, they decide to actually pull off a job, targeting two corrupt cops. Of course, Hockney highlights the irony—the cops aren't really wrong about them being criminals, just about this specific hijacking.

Quote #5

KUJAN: The first thing I learned on the job, know what it was? How to spot a murderer. Let's say you arrest three guys for the same killing. Put them all in jail overnight. The next morning, whoever is sleeping is your man. If you're guilty, you know you're caught, you get some rest—let your guard down, you follow?

Kujan clearly has experience, and he knows that the guy who arguably has more to fear is actually going to be more relaxed. The innocent people are probably freaking out over the injustice being committed against them. Ironically, Kujan has this seasoned approach to criminals—but he can't see the super-criminal sitting in front of him until it's too late.

Quote #6

KOBAYASHI: Get your rest, gentlemen. The boat will be ready for you on Friday. If I see you or any of your friends before then, Miss Finneran will find herself the victim of a most gruesome violation before she dies. As will your father, Mr. Hockney. And your Uncle Randall in Arizona, Mr. Kint. I might only castrate Mr. McManus's nephew, David. Do I make myself clear?

Success at being a criminal depends on ruthlessness. And since Kobayashi's boss, Keyser Söze, is supposed to be the baddest of bad boys, and the most successful criminal, he's also the most ruthless, renowned for brutal tactics like this.