Dead Man’s Wire Delivers Relentless Tension and ’70s Grit

There’s a rare kind of suspense pulsing through Dead Man’s Wire—the kind that comes from watching a desperate man rig a sawed-off shotgun to another man’s throat. Most movies would struggle to keep that level of intensity alive for more than a few minutes, but Gus Van Sant manages to stretch it out for nearly two hours, never letting the tension slip. Drawing from the real-life 1977 Indianapolis hostage crisis involving Tony Kiritsis, the film paints a vivid, stylish, and unexpectedly empathetic portrait of a man pushed to his breaking point.

Unraveling a True-Crime Standoff

The story is as wild as it is grounded, rooted in a moment of raw, human desperation. Bill Skarsgård takes on the role of Kiritsis, a man who snaps after being cheated out of a land deal. He storms into a mortgage office, takes Richard Hall (played by Dacre Montgomery ) hostage, and wires a shotgun to Hall’s neck. If the police make a move, the wire triggers the gun. It’s a scenario that sounds too outrageous to be true, yet Van Sant leans into the absurdity, never losing sight of the real stakes.

The film is a whirlwind of style and energy, capturing the chaotic spirit of the late 1970s with a look that’s both fresh and dangerous. Van Sant doesn’t just use the era as a backdrop—he builds a world that feels grimy, analog, and alive with tension. The pacing is relentless, echoing the unraveling mind of its central character. It’s a bold shift in style for Van Sant, and it pays off in a big way.

Performances That Drive the Chaos

Skarsgård is magnetic, delivering a performance that buzzes with nervous energy. He perfectly embodies a man teetering on the edge, terrifying in his outbursts yet vulnerable in quieter moments. There’s a raw humanity and even humor in his portrayal, making it hard not to root for him, even as he crosses the line into criminal territory.

Dacre Montgomery, as the hostage, spends most of the film with a gun taped to his neck, relying on subtle expressions to convey terror. The dynamic between captor and captive evolves in unexpected ways, shifting from fear to a strange sense of camaraderie that feels true to the bizarre situation they’re trapped in.

Visuals, Sound, and a Standout Supporting Cast

Visually, Dead Man’s Wire keeps viewers on edge with a mix of media and camera techniques that evoke the era without feeling dated. The film is gritty when it needs to be, but always maintains a sharp, cinematic polish. The pacing never drags, and every scene feels charged with purpose.

The score by Danny Elfman adds another layer of anxiety, matching the protagonist’s frantic energy and raising the stakes even higher. The supporting cast is stacked: Colman Domingo brings gravitas as a police negotiator, Myha’la is effective in her limited screen time, and Cary Elwes transforms into a menacing yet trustworthy officer. Al Pacino, as the hostage’s father, adds emotional weight, though his scenes leave you wanting just a bit more depth in the father-son relationship.

Relentless Energy and Unforgettable Style

Much of the film’s power comes from its ability to sustain tension in tight, confined spaces—cars, apartments, and offices become pressure cookers. The chemistry between the leads, the relentless pacing, and the electric score all combine to create a true-crime thriller that’s as stylish as it is nerve-wracking. With a career-defining turn from Skarsgård and Van Sant at the top of his game, this is a film that refuses to let you look away.