Dead Man's Wire

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Dead Man's Wire
Teaser poster
Directed byGus Van Sant
Written byAustin Kolodney
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyArnaud Potier[1]
Edited bySaar Klein[2]
Music byDanny Elfman
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
105 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Dead Man's Wire is a 2025 American historical crime film directed by Gus Van Sant, written by Austin Kolodney, working with Historical Consultants Alan Berry and Mark Enochs, which follows the kidnappings committed by Tony Kiritsis in the 1970s.[4] It stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino.

The film had its world premiere out of competition in the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025, and is scheduled to have a limited theatrical release by Row K Entertainment on January 9, 2026, followed by a wide release on January 16.[5]

Premise

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The film depicts the 1977 kidnapping by Tony Kiritsis of his bank mortgager, in which he requested hostage money and an apology.[6]

Cast

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Production

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The script was written in 2020 by Austin Kolodney, who was introduced to the true story via a podcast episode - he then enlisted the help of documentarians Alan Berry and Mark Enochs to research and compile all the information of the events available.[7] 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.[8]

In December 2024, Gus Van Sant was reported to be the director with Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery leading the cast.[9] 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."[10] 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.[10]

In January 2025, Colman Domingo, Myha'la, Cary Elwes, and John Robinson joined the cast.[11][12] Domingo was cast after several actors had passed on the role; he was brought into the project by the producer Cassian Elwes.[10] In February 2025, Al Pacino joined the cast.[13]

Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky, in January 2025.[14][15][16]

Release

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The film had its world premiere out of competition in the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025.[17][18] It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025,[19][20] and will screen in the Special Presentations of the 61st Chicago International Film Festival on October 18, 2025.[21]

On September 9, 2025, Row K Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film and is scheduled to have a limited release on January 9, and expanded wide on January 16, 2026.[22][23]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of 34 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Brilliantly offbeat and tinged with a darkly humourous edge, Dead Man's Wire is brought to life by Bill Skarsgård's fearless performance, authentic period flavor, and anti-capitalist fervor."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[25]

Pete Hammond for Deadline writes that the film feels like "art imitating life both past and present" and cites Skarsgård's performance, calling it "completely convincing and dedicated."[26]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Chicago International Film Festival October 18, 2025 Visionary Award Gus Van Sant Won [27]
Miami Film Festival November 3, 2025 Precious Gem Award Won [28]

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. ^ "Dead Man's Wire". Venice International Film Festival. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  4. ^ Unknown, Unknown (January 31, 2018). "Tony Kiritsis story: Indy's most insane hostage-taker now a movie". The Indianapolis Star.
  5. ^ "Biennale Cinema 2025 | Dead Man's Wire". La Biennale di Venezia. July 14, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  6. ^ Soni, Divya (December 15, 2024). "Bill Skarsgård to join Stranger Things star in new thriller". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  7. ^ AFF '25: Interview with Austin Kolodney on Dead Man’s Wire
  8. ^ Ruimy, Jordan (March 17, 2024). "Nicolas Cage to Star in Werner Herzog's 'Dead Man's Wire'". World of Reel. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Ruimy, Jordan (December 12, 2024). "Gus Van Sant to Direct 'Dead Man's Wire' Starring Bill Skarsgård". World of Reel. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c 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
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 28, 2025). "Al Pacino Joining Gus Van Sant Hostage Thriller 'Dead Man's Wire'". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  14. ^ Millby, Jeff (January 8, 2025). "Be an extra in a new Gus Van Sant movie". Loutoday. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  15. ^ Hansen, Piper (January 10, 2025). "Movie production recipient of $4M state tax credit to film in Louisville". bizjournals. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  16. ^ "New feature film being shot in downtown Louisville 'Dead Man's Wire'". wlky.com. January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Venice Film Festival Screening Date". Objectif Festival. July 27, 2025. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  19. ^ "Dead Man's Wire". TIFF. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Dead Man's Wire". Chicago International Film Festival. October 5, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Dead Man's Wire". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "Dead Man's Wire". Metacritic. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  26. ^ 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. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  27. ^ "Tributes". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "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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