Movie Review: ‘Dead Man’s Wire’

Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery and Cary Elwes star in the real-life story of Tony Kiritsis, who harbored a serious grudge against a mortgage firm.

(L to R): Dacre Montgomery and Bill Skarsgard in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

In theaters on limited release from December 9 (expanding on December 16) is ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ a strange-but-true crime story from director Gus Van Sant (‘Drugstore Cowboy’).

The cast is led by Bill Skarsgård (‘It’), Dacre Montgomery (‘Elvis’) and Cary Elwes (‘The Princess Bride’).

Initial Thoughts

Colman Domingo in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

For his first feature in six years, director Gus Van Sant has picked a familiar pattern –– a true-life tale. And ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ certainly boasts a compelling hook. A kidnapping case that was locally infamous in Indiana that briefly attracted national attention in the late 1970s.

But with some odd tonal choices, the movie doesn’t always do justice to what is a fascinating tale of desperation and candor.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Al Pacino and director Gus Van Sant attend Row K’s 'Dead Man’s Wire' Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.

The script from Austin Kolodney (a filmmaker behind various shorts and who has worked in a number of roles on different movies) takes a mostly real-time approach to the story of Tony Kiritsis and his grudge against a local mortgage company.

It’s a solid foundation for an entertaining movie, and one that director Gus Van Sant knows how to make well. Yet the issue is with some of the stylistic tricks and the occasional shifts in tone that don’t always work with the plot itself and undercut the power.

Cast and Performances

Cary Elwes in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

The cast is the definite highlight of the movie, with Skarsgård, for once not buried beneath a mountain of prosthetics, giving a memorable, charismatic performance as the desperate, but perhaps misguided central figure.

Dacre Montgomery also has a chance to shine as the victim of the kidnapping, a man whose rich family is only to willing to throw him under the bus when it comes to negotiating with his captor.

Outside of the main pair, Cary Elwes is excellent as a detective, Al Pacino steals a couple of scenes as Montgomery’s character’s father, and Myha'la gets some good moments as a reporter who is first to report on the developing situation.

Final Thoughts

Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in 'Dead Man's Wire'. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

Despite its occasional overreliance on stylistic tics, ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ is a compelling treatment of a real-life case, one that has resonances even today.

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ receives 70 out of 100.

(L to R): Dacre Montgomery and Bill Skarsgard in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

What is the plot of ‘Dead Man’s Wire’?

The film is inspired by the 1977 Indianapolis hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård) and centers on the escalation of a public confrontation shaped by negotiation, media attention, and law enforcement response.