In 1977, a man named Tony Kiritsis walked into an Indianapolis mortgage company and took executive Richard Hall hostage. This wild true story serves as the basis for the brand-new film by Gus Van Sant, titled Dead Man’s Wire.
The film features an ensemble cast including Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery in the lead roles, supported by Al Pacino, Colman Domingo, and Cary Elwes.
The Story and Realism
Because this is based on a real-life true crime event from 1977, the film feels incredibly accurate to the actual story. There aren’t many major narrative “arcs” to the plot; instead, the movie is super heavy on dialogue. It focuses intensely on the standoff and the communication between characters rather than big action sequences or explosions.
The Performances
The acting is solid across the board, though at times Bill Skarsgård’s performance felt a bit over-the-top. It’s hard to tell if that was his specific acting choice or a result of Gus Van Sant’s direction, as his independent films often feature characters with that kind of heightened energy.
However, the absolute standout for me was Dacre Montgomery. He is brilliant in this role, to the point where I walked away feeling like I need to go back and watch his entire filmography.
Cinematography and Atmosphere
The cinematography is a high point. Even without big-budget spectacles, the film uses creative visual choices like specific color grading and shots that mimic old photos or news broadcasts to make you feel like you’ve been transported back to 1977.
My Take
One minor critique: there is a subplot involving a young girl trying to break into the world of broadcast journalism. While it highlights the media’s role in the crisis, it felt like that specific storyline didn’t really go anywhere and fell a little flat.
Overall, Dead Man’s Wire is a really interesting film that captures a bizarre moment in history.
Verdict: 3.5 / 5 Stars
