Suspect
Performance & Direction: Suspect Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Suspect (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Suspect features a noteworthy lineup led by Cher . Supported by the likes of Dennis Quaid and Liam Neeson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Suspect
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, Suspect is a Crime, Drama, Thriller film directed by Peter Yates. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Cher.
Ending Explained: Suspect
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Peter Yates, Suspect concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Cher, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Suspect reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Suspect Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Suspect incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, thriller film directed by Peter Yates, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Cher's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Suspect adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Suspect?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Cher or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Suspect
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $18.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Suspect
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Where to Watch Suspect Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoSuspect Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about Suspect age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Suspect is 121 minutes (2h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Suspect is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suspect worth watching?
Suspect is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Suspect parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Suspect identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Suspect?
The total duration of Suspect is 121 minutes, which is approximately 2h 1m long.
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Critic Reviews for Suspect
The innocent shall know the glory of heaven! Peter Yates directs and Eric Roth writes the screenplay. It stars Cher, Dennis Quaid, Liam Neeson, John Mahoney and Joe Mantegna. Music is by Michael Kamen and cinematography by Billy Williams. Pot has Cher as a public defender tasked with defending a deaf and mute homeless man accused of murder. It's a solid legal eagle thriller is this, it opens with a dramatic suicide and the discovery of a woman's dead body, and then runs through many of the staples of feature film courtroom shenanigans. There's some spice thrown in for good measure as the lawyer and a member of the jury get too close for comfort, while the central premise of a deaf and mute person being the accused makes for fascinating viewing - the makers obviously having a social awareness of the issue. As the mystery to be solved question holds the attention, pic does descend into the realm of the far fetched with the behaviour of Cher and Quaid's characters. It's also not something of a shock once the big reveal arrives. Yet this has enough savvy performances, nice technical touches (William's cinematography sparkles at times) and a strong pot boiling premise, to make it well worth the time invested with it. 7/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
