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Posted 1/16/2026
Directed by Gus Van Sant, Dead Man’s Wire is a gritty, 1970s-style crime thriller that dramatizes the surreal true story of Tony Kiritsis. Bill Skarsgård stars as Kiritsis, a disillusioned real estate developer in 1977 Indianapolis who reaches his breaking point after being financially ruined by a local mortgage firm. In a desperate act of retribution, he takes executive Richard Hall (Dacre Montgomery) hostage using a terrifyingly ingenious "dead man’s wire"—a shotgun rigged to fire instantly if Tony is shot or releases his grip. The film meticulously recreates the 63-hour standoff, capturing the claustrophobic tension of a man with nothing left to lose and a city paralyzed by the live-televised spectacle.
Beyond the high-stakes hostage crisis, the movie serves as a sharp critique of corporate exploitation and the predatory nature of media sensationalism. Skarsgård’s performance is being hailed for its raw, manic intensity, portraying Kiritsis not as a simple criminal, but as a tragic figure representing a public fed up with institutional greed. As news cameras turn the life-threatening situation into a ratings-driven circus, Van Sant explores the blurred lines between victim and villain. Featuring a powerhouse supporting cast including Al Pacino and Colman Domingo, Dead Man’s Wire is a visceral examination of "righteous rage" and the lengths to which a person will go to reclaim their dignity from a system that has discarded them.
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