In The Usual Suspects (1995), the mysterious crime lord is known as Keyser Söze.
The name is presented through the testimony of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a small-time criminal questioned after a deadly incident in Los Angeles. Verbal describes Söze as an almost legendary figure whose reputation for violence and control has spread among criminals.
Kevin Spacey played Verbal Kint, while Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Chazz Palminteri also star. The screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie uses a framed interrogation story, making the reliability of Verbal’s account central to the film.
Keyser Söze is often written incorrectly as “Kaiser Sose.” The film’s spelling uses “Keyser” and the surname “Söze,” including the umlaut. The character’s identity and the truth of the story are deliberately tied to the movie’s famous final revelation.