‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Trailer Finds Bill Skarsgård at the Center of a True Kidnapping Story

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The trailer for Gus Van Sant’s new true-crime film, Dead Man’s Wire, is out now, starring Bill Skarsgård alongside an impressive cast including Al Pacino, Coleman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, and Dacre Montgomery. Van Sant, known for directing the acclaimed film Good Will Hunting, directs from a screenplay by Austin Kolodney, marking his first feature film writing credit.

Dead Man’s Wire is a film based on real events, telling the story of Tony Kiritsis, played by Skarsgård, a man driven to extremes who takes a hostage hoping to get someone to listen. The movie’s description gives more details about the true story behind the film, hinting at the drama to come and keeping audiences intrigued.

On February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis held Richard Hall, the president of Meridian Mortgage Company, hostage. He entered Hall’s office armed with a shortened shotgun that was rigged with a wire connected to the trigger and Kiritsis’s neck – meaning any attempt to disarm him could be fatal.

The trailer introduces the film’s actors, with Bill Skarsgård taking center stage and drawing the others into the story. Montgomery plays the captive character, physically chained to the device central to the plot. Domingo appears as a thoughtful advisor who Pacino tries to convince to reason with Tony. The trailer also suggests Dead Man’s Wire will have a darkly comedic tone, with several funny scenes designed to attract viewers before its release in January 2026.

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Expands Bill Skarsgård’s Exceedingly Impressive Resume

Dead Man’s Wire deliberately recreates the look and feel of 1970s films. Though based on a real event, some details have been adjusted for dramatic effect. The movie shares similarities with funny crime films like Shane Black’s The Nice Guys, or Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman. While it hasn’t been released yet, the true-crime story seems poised to be another success for director Van Sant and the film’s talented cast.

Critics are already loving Van Sant’s new film. As of today, Rotten Tomatoes reports a 97% fresh rating for Dead Man’s Wire based on 34 reviews. Here’s what MovieWeb had to say about it:

The movie doesn’t hide the fear Kiritsis caused, or excuse his violent actions. Instead, it smartly challenges the different rules we apply to people like him and the companies he fought against. The film suggests that while banks don’t use physical force, their actions can be just as damaging and cruel. It shows how those in power often try to control the world to fit their own vision. Ultimately, Van Sant’s film reminds us that someone like Tony Kiritsis proves that arrogance and unchecked power will always face consequences.

Bill Skarsgård is known for taking on unusual and memorable roles, recently revisiting his terrifying performance as Pennywise in It: Welcome to Derry. Beyond the It films, he’s impressed audiences in movies like Barbarian and Nosferatu, where his portrayal of Count Orlok was particularly strong. He’s also appeared as a villain in John Wick: Chapter 4, and taken risks with roles in Boy Kills World and the new The Crow. His upcoming film, Dead Man’s Wire, seeks to showcase his range by casting him as a complex and flawed character – a man driven to desperate, illegal acts, but with a potential for sympathy.

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2025-11-26 12:33