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Dead Man's Wire

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Dead Man's Wire
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGus Van Sant
Written byAustin Kolodney
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyArnaud Potier[1]
Edited bySaar Klein[2]
Music byDanny Elfman[3]
Production
companies
  • Elevated Films
  • Pressman Film
  • District 9 Productions
  • Sobini Films
  • RNA Pictures
  • Pinstripes
Distributed byRow K Entertainment
Release dates
  • September 2, 2025 (2025-09-02) (Venice)
  • January 9, 2026 (2026-01-09) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget< $15 million[5]
Box office$2.5 million[6]

Dead Man's Wire is a 2025 American crime thriller film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, working with historical consultants Alan Berry and Mark Enochs, who together made the 2018 documentary Dead Man's Line examining the same events. The film is inspired by the 1977 hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis.[7] It stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, alongside an ensemble cast including Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino.

The film premiered out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025, and was given a wide theatrical release on January 9, 2026, by Row K Entertainment.[8]

Plot

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On Tuesday, February 8, 1977, in Indianapolis, Tony Kiritsis arrives for an appointment with wealthy mortgage broker M.L. Hall at the Meridian Mortgage company. Tony is instead met by M.L.'s son Richard, who reveals that M.L. has left on vacation. Tony then holds Richard at gunpoint and wires a shotgun to his neck as a dead man's switch, rigged to fire if he tries to escape or anyone interferes. He believes the Halls cheated him of potential profit after he bought land to develop and is determined to expose them. He notifies the local police that he has taken Richard prisoner then commandeers a police car. He forces Richard to drive them to Tony's home, closely followed by the authorities as well as local reporters.

Inside his apartment, Tony has booby-trapped the doors and windows with explosives, and secures Richard and the shotgun to his kitchen table. The building is evacuated and Tony makes his demands known, including an apology from M.L., as news of the standoff spreads. Letting Richard phone his wife, Tony makes a call himself to local radio DJ Fred Temple, who records him explaining how desperation drove him to take drastic action. The police allow Fred to air the recording while they formulate a plan, with Fred continuing to act as their liaison with Tony.

On Wednesday, the FBI gets involved; M.L. refuses to acknowledge Tony's grievances or apologize during a phone call with Richard and Tony. The police summon Tony's brother Jimmy. On Thursday, the authorities organize a televised press conference for Tony, ostensibly granting him immunity and forgiving his debt with millions in compensation, but prepare to kill him if necessary. With Jimmy's assurance, Tony decides to go through with the conference and reattaches Richard to the shotgun.

On live television, Tony declares himself a national hero, and forces Richard to read a statement from the company before taking over himself. Tony signs documents to guarantee his demands, convinced he has brought the Halls to justice and secured the money he feels he is owed. As Richard is released, Tony fires the shotgun in the air to prove it was loaded, before he is promptly arrested. Richard is reunited with his wife, while a furious Tony is taken away.

On Tuesday, October 25, 1977, Tony is tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity, to the dismay of the Halls and the police, but having found public support. Tony asserts his sanity as he leaves the courthouse. Many years later, Tony and Richard coincidentally cross paths at a bakery, wordlessly going their separate ways.

An epilogue reveals that Tony was sentenced to two years in a mental institution, but served an additional eight years for refusing psychiatric treatment. He was also under FBI investigation until his death in 2005. Richard struggled with alcoholism in the wake of his abduction, and his company eventually filed for bankruptcy.

Cast

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Production

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The script was written in 2020 by Austin Kolodney. He was introduced to the true story via a podcast episode, and subsequently enlisted the help of documentarians Alan Berry and Mark Enochs (makers of the 2018 documentary Dead Man's Line on the events) to research and compile all the information of the events available.[9] In March 2024, it was reported that the film was in development with Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage attached to direct and star in the film, respectively.[10][11]

By December 2024, Gus Van Sant was set to direct with Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery leading the cast.[12] Talking about his decision to make the film, Van Sant said: "When I read the script there were links embedded in it – you could click them and hear the real 911 calls. Tony talked so fast, like Scorsese on a cocaine bender, cracking jokes and losing his temper. I thought, 'This is an amazing character. The story had this weird barnstormer energy ... The producer said, 'We have to start shooting in Louisville in two months.' That was the most appealing thing – just hitting the road."[13] Skarsgaard was someone Van Sant had wanted to work with for a long time; while Van Sant cast Montgomery off of his viral Stranger Things audition tape.[13]

In January 2025, Colman Domingo, Myha'la, Cary Elwes, and John Robinson joined the cast.[14][15] Domingo was cast after several actors had passed on the role; he was brought into the project by the producer Cassian Elwes.[13] In February 2025, Al Pacino joined the cast.[16]

Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky, in January 2025.[17][18][19] It was shot over 19 days; Pacino filmed his part in one day while Domingo shot his in two days.[20]

Release

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The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025.[21][22] It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025,[23][24] and screened in the special presentations section of the 61st Chicago International Film Festival on October 18, 2025.[25]

On September 9, 2025, Row K Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film as the company's inaugural release and had a limited release on January 9, expanding to a wide release on January 16, 2026.[26][27] Row K spent $5 million to purchase the film and another $5 million to market it.[28]

Reception

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Box office

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The film grossed $154,100 from 14 theaters in its opening weekend.[29] It expanded to 1,101 theaters in its second weekend and grossed $1.23 million over the four day holiday.[30] It was considered a "soft" result.[31] In its third weekend, the film scaled back its release and only earned $181,000 from 621 theaters.[32] In its fourth weekend, the film made $10,672 from 35 theaters.[33] The film was ultimately deemed a box office disappointment, representing millions in losses.[34]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 164 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "Brilliantly offbeat and tinged with a darkly humorous edge, Dead Man's Wire is brought to life by Bill Skarsgård's fearless performance, authentic period flavor, and anti-capitalist fervor."[35] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 67 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[36]

Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the film feels like "art imitating life both past and present" and cited Skarsgård's performance, calling it "completely convincing and dedicated".[37]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
AACTA International Awards February 6, 2026 Best Supporting Actor Dacre Montgomery Nominated [38]
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 10, 2026 Best Period Film Dead Man's Wire Nominated [39]
Astra Creative Arts Awards December 11, 2025 Best Stunt Coordinator Frank Blake Nominated [40]
Chicago International Film Festival October 18, 2025 Visionary Award Gus Van Sant Honored [41]
Denver Film Festival November 4, 2025 Excellence in Directing Award Honored [42]
Miami Film Festival November 3, 2025 Precious Gem Award Honored [43]

References

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  1. ↑ "Arnaud Potier". Lux Artists. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Saar Klein". Iconic Talent Agency. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Danny Elfman to Score Gus Van Sant's 'Dead Man's Wire'". Film Music Reporter. March 2, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire (15)". British Board of Film Classification. February 17, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Gus Van Sant on Returning to Film Directing With 'Dead Man's Wire' and the Steamy Audition Tape That Cost Him 'Fifty Shades of Grey'". Variety. August 21, 2025. Archived from the original on January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 29, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  7. ↑ Unknown, Unknown (January 31, 2018). "Tony Kiritsis story: Indy's most insane hostage-taker now a movie". The Indianapolis Star.
  8. ↑ "Biennale Cinema 2025 | Dead Man's Wire". La Biennale di Venezia. July 14, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  9. ↑ AFF '25: Interview with Austin Kolodney on Dead Man's Wire
  10. ↑ Ky. film incentives support Nicholas Cage movie "Dead Man's Wire"
  11. ↑ Why Bill Skarsgard Cut His Acting Break Short for 'Dead Man's Wire'
  12. ↑ Bill Skarsgård & Dacre Montgomery To Star In 'Dead Man's Wire' For Gus Van Sant
  13. 1 2 3 Davis, Clayton (October 25, 2025). "Gus Van Sant on His Comeback Film 'Dead Man's Wire,' the Unintentional Movies He's Made and Why He Still Thinks About River Phoenix All the Time". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  14. ↑ Bamigboye, Baz (January 21, 2025). "Breaking Baz: Colman Domingo Joins Gus Van Sant's Hostage Thriller 'Dead Man's Wire' As He Reveals Late Night Talks With DiCaprio About Hollywood's Future". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  15. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (January 24, 2025). "Myha'la, Cary Elwes & John Robinson Join Gus Van Sant's Hostage Thriller 'Dead Man's Wire'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  16. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 28, 2025). "Al Pacino Joining Gus Van Sant Hostage Thriller 'Dead Man's Wire'". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ Millby, Jeff (January 8, 2025). "Be an extra in a new Gus Van Sant movie". Loutoday. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  18. ↑ Hansen, Piper (January 10, 2025). "Movie production recipient of $4M state tax credit to film in Louisville". bizjournals. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  19. ↑ "New feature film being shot in downtown Louisville 'Dead Man's Wire'". wlky.com. January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  20. ↑ How 'Dead Man's Wire' was made in just 19 days!
  21. ↑ Ntim, Zac (July 22, 2025). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo Del Toro, Noah Baumbach & Benny Safdie In Competition". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Venice Film Festival Screening Date". Objectif Festival. July 27, 2025. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire". TIFF. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  24. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 21, 2025). "TIFF Galas & Presentations: World Premieres 'Good Fortune', 'Nuremberg', Sydney Sweeney Pic 'Christy', Angelina Jolie 'Couture'; North American Debuts Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', Dwayne Johnson 'Smashing Machine'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire". Chicago International Film Festival. October 5, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  26. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (September 9, 2025). "New U.S. Buyer Row K Makes First Acquisition Gus Van Sant's 'Dead Man's Wire'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  27. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 14, 2025). "Row K Sets 2026 Release Dates For 'Dead Man's Wire', 'Poetic License', 'Cliffhanger' & 'Charlie Harper'". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  28. ↑ Row K In Rough Waters: Maude Apatow’s ‘Poetic License’ Looking For New Home; Brass Led By President Megan Colligan Exiting
  29. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (January 11, 2026). "Row K Rocks First Release 'Dead Man's Wire'; Neon's 'No Other Choice' Rolls On — Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (January 18, 2026). "Nice Expansions for 'Hamnet' & 'No Other Choice', A24's New Record, 'Lord of the Rings' Anniversary – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 18, 2026). "'Avatar: Fire and Ash' Burns '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' with No. 1 MLK Weekend at $17M+; 'Marty Supreme' A24's Biggest Movie at Domestic B.O. – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (January 25, 2026). "'Hopefully the Industry Will Get Some of This Missed Demand Back' Says Cineverse CEO as Blizzards, Deep Freeze Slam Grosses – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Domestic 2026 Weekend 5". Box Office Mojo. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  34. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (March 20, 2026). "Crisis at Row K: New Indie Film Distributor's Money Problems Put Reputations and Maude Apatow's Directorial Debut in Jeopardy (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Dead Man's Wire". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  37. ↑ Hammond, Pete (September 2, 2025). "'Dead Man's Wire' Review: Bill Skarsgård in Gus Van Sant's True Story That Luigi Mangione Might Like – Venice Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  38. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (December 18, 2025). "'One Battle After Another' & 'Hamnet' Lead Australia's AACTA International Awards Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  39. ↑ Hammond, Pete (November 19, 2025). "'One Battle After Another', 'Hamnet', 'A House of Dynamite' Among AARP's Movies for Grownups Best Picture Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  40. ↑ Davidson, Denton (November 19, 2025). "'Sinners' leads Astra Creative Arts Awards nominations; 'Wicked: For Good' and 'Frankenstein' close behind". Gold Derby. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Tributes and Awards". Chicago International Film Festival. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  42. ↑ Gardner, Chris (November 10, 2025). "'Sirat' Named Best Feature at Denver Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Gus Van Sant to be Honored with Precious Gem Award at GEMS". Miami Film Festival. September 30, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
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