The film is inspired by the 1977 Indianapolis hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis and centers on the escalation of a public confrontation shaped by negotiation, media attention, and law enforcement response.[6][7]
The script was written in 2020 by Austin Kolodney. He was introduced to the true story via a podcast episode, and subsequently enlisted the help of documentarians Alan Berry and Mark Enochs (makers of the 2018 documentary Dead Man's Line on the events) to research and compile all the information of the events available.[8] In March 2024, it was reported that the film was in development with Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage attached to direct and star in the film, respectively.[9][10]
By January 2025, Gus Van Sant was set to direct with Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery leading the cast.[11] Talking about his decision to make the film, Van Sant said: "When I read the script there were links embedded in it – you could click them and hear the real 911 calls. Tony talked so fast, like Scorsese on a cocaine bender, cracking jokes and losing his temper. I thought, 'This is an amazing character. The story had this weird barnstormer energy ... The producer said, 'We have to start shooting in Louisville in two months.' That was the most appealing thing – just hitting the road."[12] Skarsgaard was someone Van Sant had wanted to work with for a long time; while Van Sant cast Montgomery off of his viral Stranger Things audition tape.[12]
On September 9, 2025, Row K Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film as the company's inaugural release and is scheduled to have a limited release on January 9, expanding to a wide release on January 16, 2026.[24][25]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 98% of 53 critics' reviews are positive.The website's consensus reads: "Brilliantly offbeat and tinged with a darkly humourous edge, Dead Man's Wire is brought to life by Bill Skarsgård's fearless performance, authentic period flavor, and anti-capitalist fervor."[26]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[27]
Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the film feels like "art imitating life both past and present" and cites Skarsgård's performance, calling it "completely convincing and dedicated".[28]
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