REVIEW: “Dead Man’s Wire” (2026)

by

After a nearly eight-year hiatus, director Gus Van Sant is back with “Dead Man’s Wire,” a new crime thriller based on a true story. The film dramatizes the 1977 Indianapolis hostage crisis involving Tony Kiritsis, who, facing foreclosure on his mortgage, entered Meridian Mortgage Company. Following an argument with broker Richard O. Hall, Kiritsis threatened him with a sawed-off shotgun, demanding $5 million and a guarantee of immunity, claiming he’d been defrauded by the company.

“Dead Man’s Wire” centers around a bizarre incident and the 63-hour standoff that followed. The screenplay, by Austin Kolodney, skillfully mixes suspense, crime drama, and dark humor. It’s based on a wild true story that unfolded live on television, and the filmmakers approach it in a similar style to the classic film “Dog Day Afternoon.” While the director and writer take liberties with the facts to connect it to modern issues, the result unfortunately doesn’t quite live up to the potential of the original story.

Bill Skarsgård delivers a powerful performance as Tony Kiritsis, a man determined to confront the leaders of Meridian Mortgage Company. When we first meet Tony, he seems ordinary – tall and thin, with a simple haircut and a faint mustache. He’s nervous and has a restless energy, but his clothes – a light green polyester shirt and brown corduroys – don’t draw much attention. The only things that set him apart as he enters the Meridian building are the sling on his arm and the long, thin box he’s carrying.

Tony went to the fourth floor for a meeting with Meridian’s president, M.L. Hall, who was known for being unpleasant. However, he was told Hall was suddenly away on a trip and would instead meet with Hall’s son, Richard. Unhappy with this change, Tony took Richard hostage. He rigged a sawed-off shotgun to Richard with wire, so it would fire if anyone shot at Tony. He then planned to expose the company’s wrongdoing to the public.

The situation rapidly escalates into chaos when Tony leads Richard out onto a bustling Indianapolis street, attracting police and media attention. Tony makes clear demands: he wants his debts cleared, complete legal protection, and a public apology from Richard’s father. This leads to a prolonged standoff at Tony’s apartment, ultimately concluding with a bizarre resolution that feels fitting for this unbelievable story.

Beyond the performances of Bill Skarsgård, Ray Liotta, and Al Pacino, “Dead Man’s Wire” features a cast of memorable characters brought to life with engaging performances. Colman Domingo shines as Fred Temple, a smooth-talking Indianapolis radio DJ inspired by the real Fred Heckman. Cary Elwes is almost unidentifiable as Detective Michael Grable, a friend of Tony’s who arrives at the scene early on. And Myha’la delivers strong scenes as a determined local TV reporter chasing the story.

The movie disappointingly leaves out the trial – a really interesting part of the true story – and only shows a quick scene about it at the very end. This fits with the director’s focus, which is less about the facts and more about criticizing institutions. He presents this message within a classic crime thriller, complete with a strong 1970s vibe. The film is also surprisingly funny, often when you least expect it, making this unbelievable true story even more entertaining.

Read More

2026-01-15 18:58