Dead Man's Wire (2025)
6.63 /10
50 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
In 1977, former real estate developer Tony Kiritsis puts a dead man's switch on himself and the mortgage banker who did him wrong, demanding $5 million and a personal apology.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Tony Kiritsis
... Fred Temple
... M.L. Hall
... Richard 'Dick' Hall
... Linda Page
User reviews
At a time when many of us may feel like we’re being systematically shafted by big business and powerful financial institutions, it’s natural that some of us might feel justified in seeking retribution against them for their deceitful actions. Such was also the case in February 1977, when an aggrieved borrower sought potentially deadly vengeance against the president of an Indianapolis mortgage company, as seen in this fact-based comedy-drama-thriller from director Gus Van Sant. When Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård), a mentally challenged borrower, felt financially betrayed by a lender he implicitly trusted, he decided to take action to get back at the loan company’s owner, M.L. Hall (Al Pacino). However, on the day he was scheduled to meet with Mr. Hall, Kiritsis learned that he was on a last-minute midwinter “business trip” to Florida, thereby thwarting his plans for revenge. So, with his principal intention thus foiled, the angry customer resorted to his fallback plan, taking the owner’s son, Richard (Dacre Montgomery), as hostage. And, to show the world he meant business, the perpetrator fitted his captive with a taut wire around his neck that was connected to a shotgun set to fire with the slightest unplanned motion. However, despite his seemingly efficient planning, the determined but somewhat bumbling culprit ended up launching what would turn out to be a cross between a heinous criminal event and a comical media circus that mesmerized the city for days. Law enforcement officials, like Kiritsis’s acquaintance, Det. Michael Grable (Cary Elwes), were frustrated by developments at nearly every turn, while many in the public at large sympathized with the captor’s seemingly justifiable motives. And, in the process, the event exploded to draw in a variety of ancillary storylines, such as the determined campaign of a neophyte television reporter (Myha’la) aggressively seeking to lock down coverage of her first breakthrough story and the improvised negotiation efforts of a popular local radio host (Colman Domingo) who was trusted by the event’s ringmaster who was unwittingly drawn into the fray. The result is an accurate re-enactment of a potentially dangerous event that ultimately plays out like a classic example of pure Americana kitsch, a film that calls to mind elements found in such releases as “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) and “Breaking” (2022). However, despite the picture’s commendable efforts at re-creating a scenario that has largely slipped from public memory over the years, this release feels as though it tries a little too hard at times, as if it’s wearing its penchant for period piece authenticity on its sleeve. In addition, portions of the narrative drag somewhat in the middle, coming across like padding to fill out the easily trimmed 1:45:00 runtime. Those criticisms aside, however, “Dead Man’s Wire” nevertheless features an excellent production design, along with fine performances by Domingo, Pacino, and, especially, Skarsgård. This modestly entertaining offering generally holds viewer interest reasonably well, providing a modicum of gripping drama and more than a few well-earned chuckles along the way. If nothing else, however, the story should serve as a warning to those who would try to pull one over on an increasingly unsettled, unpredictable, trigger-happy public, one whose imbedded lesson strongly cautions that cost of calculated financial scheming could easily overshadow whatever profits might come from such artful material deception.
Director:
Writer:
Austin Kolodney (Writer)
Release Date:
2025-12-12
Run Time:
105 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Dead Man's Wire
At a time when many of us may feel like we’re being systematically shafted by big business and powerful financial institutions, it’s natural that some of us might feel justified in seeking retribution against them for their deceitful actions. Such was also the case in February 1977, when an aggrieved borrower sought potentially deadly vengeance against the president of an Indianapolis mortgage company, as seen in this fact-based comedy-drama-thriller from director Gus Van Sant. When Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård), a mentally challenged borrower, felt financially betrayed by a lender he implicitly trusted, he decided to take action to get back at the loan company’s owner, M.L. Hall (Al Pacino). However, on the day he was scheduled to meet with Mr. Hall, Kiritsis learned that he was on a last-minute midwinter “business trip” to Florida, thereby thwarting his plans for revenge. So, with his principal intention thus foiled, the angry customer resorted to his fallback plan, taking the owner’s son, Richard (Dacre Montgomery), as hostage. And, to show the world he meant business, the perpetrator fitted his captive with a taut wire around his neck that was connected to a shotgun set to fire with the slightest unplanned motion. However, despite his seemingly efficient planning, the determined but somewhat bumbling culprit ended up launching what would turn out to be a cross between a heinous criminal event and a comical media circus that mesmerized the city for days. Law enforcement officials, like Kiritsis’s acquaintance, Det. Michael Grable (Cary Elwes), were frustrated by developments at nearly every turn, while many in the public at large sympathized with the captor’s seemingly justifiable motives. And, in the process, the event exploded to draw in a variety of ancillary storylines, such as the determined campaign of a neophyte television reporter (Myha’la) aggressively seeking to lock down coverage of her first breakthrough story and the improvised negotiation efforts of a popular local radio host (Colman Domingo) who was trusted by the event’s ringmaster who was unwittingly drawn into the fray. The result is an accurate re-enactment of a potentially dangerous event that ultimately plays out like a classic example of pure Americana kitsch, a film that calls to mind elements found in such releases as “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) and “Breaking” (2022). However, despite the picture’s commendable efforts at re-creating a scenario that has largely slipped from public memory over the years, this release feels as though it tries a little too hard at times, as if it’s wearing its penchant for period piece authenticity on its sleeve. In addition, portions of the narrative drag somewhat in the middle, coming across like padding to fill out the easily trimmed 1:45:00 runtime. Those criticisms aside, however, “Dead Man’s Wire” nevertheless features an excellent production design, along with fine performances by Domingo, Pacino, and, especially, Skarsgård. This modestly entertaining offering generally holds viewer interest reasonably well, providing a modicum of gripping drama and more than a few well-earned chuckles along the way. If nothing else, however, the story should serve as a warning to those who would try to pull one over on an increasingly unsettled, unpredictable, trigger-happy public, one whose imbedded lesson strongly cautions that cost of calculated financial scheming could easily overshadow whatever profits might come from such artful material deception.
Cast & Crew of
Dead Man's Wire
Cast
... Tony Kiritsis
... Fred Temple
... M.L. Hall
... Richard 'Dick' Hall
... Linda Page
... Michael Grable
... Mabel Hall
... Doreen
... Cameraman
... Ibby Hall
... Frank Love
... Rookie Cop
... James
... TV News Anchor
... News Reporter
... Jimmy Kiritsis
... Chief Gallagher
... Agent Patrick Mullaney
... First Responder
... Clifford Chapman
... Resort Attendant
... George Martz
... Channel 6 Reporter
... Doug O'Brien
... Police Officer
... Fred's Wife
... Bomb Squad Officer
... Sheriff
... Judge
... Bearded Producer
... Barb
... Chaplain
... Window Washer
... Police Officer / Pedestrian
... Meridian Mortgage Employee in Lobby (uncredited)
... Court Clerk (uncredited)
... Radio Station Employee (uncredited)
... Business Man in Cadillac (uncredited)
... State Trooper (uncredited)
... Police Officer (uncredited)
... Sheriff (uncredited)
... Indiana State Trooper (uncredited)
... News Reporter (uncredited)
... Onlooker (uncredited)
... DMV Patron / Courthouse Supporter (uncredited)
... Plain Clothes Detective (uncredited)
... First Responder (uncredited)
... Tony's Uncle (uncredited)
... Tony's Friend (uncredited)
... News Reporter (uncredited)
... Window Washer (uncredited)
... Reporter (uncredited)
... Onlooker (uncredited)
... Bailiff (uncredited)
... Pedestrian (uncredited)
... Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)
... Window Washer (uncredited)
... Plain Clothes Officer (uncredited)
... Onlooker (uncredited)
... Pedestrian (uncredited)
... Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
Crew
... Writer
... Director
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Production Design
... Set Decoration
... Stunt Coordinator
... First Assistant Director
... Second Assistant Director
... Original Music Composer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Editor
... Casting
... Hair Department Head
... Makeup Department Head
... Costume Design
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Sound Designer
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Music Supervisor
... Unit Production Manager
... Line Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Utility Stunts
... Production Coordinator
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Script Supervisor
... Camera Operator
... "B" Camera Operator
... First Assistant "A" Camera
... Second Assistant "A" Camera
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... Second Assistant "B" Camera
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Still Photographer
... Costume Supervisor
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Key Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Key Makeup Artist
... Key Hair Stylist
... Art Direction
... Graphic Designer
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Set Dresser
... Set Dresser
... Set Designer
... Property Master
... Assistant Property Master
... Sound Mixer
... Boom Operator
... Chief Lighting Technician
... Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Key Grip
... Best Boy Grip
... Dolly Grip
... Additional Grip
... Additional Grip
... Additional Grip
... Additional Grip
... Location Manager
... Location Scout
... Set Medic
... Transportation Captain
... Production Accountant
... Local Casting
... Local Casting
... First Assistant Editor
... Assistant Editor
... Post Production Assistant
... Visual Effects Producer
... Color Assistant
... Senior Colorist
... Digital Intermediate Editor
... Digital Intermediate Colorist
... ADR Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... ADR Mixer
... Foley Mixer
... Music Editor
... Scoring Mixer
Similar Movies To
Dead Man's Wire
The Longest Day (1962)
7.607/10
The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that when the Allied invasion comes they must be stopped on the beach. "For the Allies as well as the Germans, it will be the longest day"
Release: 1962-09-25
Transporter 2 (2005)
6.325/10
Professional driver, and former Special Forces officer, Frank Martin is living in Miami, where he is temporarily filling in for a friend as the chauffeur for a government narcotics control policy director and his family. The young boy in the family is targeted for kidnapping, and Frank immediately becomes involved in protecting the child and exposing the kidnappers.
Release: 2005-08-03
Starsky & Hutch (2004)
5.824/10
Join uptight David Starsky and laid-back Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson as they're paired for the first time as undercover cops. The new partners must overcome their differences to solve an important case with help from street informant Huggy Bear and persuasive criminal Reese Feldman.
Release: 2004-03-05
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
7.19/10
Nick Naylor is a charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight to protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he incurs the wrath of a senator bent on snuffing out cigarettes, Nick's powers of "filtering the truth" will be put to the test.
Release: 2005-09-09
Final Justice (1998)
5/10
Merle Hammond (Michael McKean), a sleazy attorney, uses corrupt tactics and convinces a jury to acquit his client who is a killer. Gwen (Annette O'Toole), the murdered victim's sister, plots revenge against the attorney. Out of desperation, she kidnaps and tortures him in an attempt to make him confess to his unscrupulous tactics. The cards twist when he escapes and puts her on trial for his kidnapping.
Release: 1998-06-01
Kiss the Girls (1997)
6.524/10
Forensic psychologist and detective Alex Cross travels to North Carolina and teams with escaped kidnap victim Kate McTiernan to hunt down "Casanova," a serial killer who abducts strong-willed women and forces them to submit to his demands. The trail leads to Los Angeles, where the duo discovers that the psychopath may not be working alone.
Release: 1997-09-29
The Nameless (1999)
5.617/10
The mutilated body of a six year old girl is found in a water hole. The girl is identified as the missing daughter of Claudia. However, only two peices of evidence could be used to identify her; a bracelet with her name on it near the crime scene, and the fact that her right leg was three inches longer than her left. All other methods of identification were removed from her body. Five years later Claudia, now addicted to tranquilizers, receives a phone call from someone claiming to be her daughter, asking for her mother to come find her before 'they' kill her. Other mysterious clues show up, further indicating that Claudia's daughter is indeed still alive, and very much in danger. Claudia, a run-down ex-cop, and a parapsychology reporter put together the clues to discover Angela's whereabouts
Release: 1999-10-08
Chariots of Fire (1981)
6.776/10
In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.
Release: 1981-05-15
The Big Hit (1998)
5.949/10
Affable hit man Melvin Smiley is constantly being scammed by his cutthroat colleagues in the life-ending business. So, when he and his fellow assassins kidnap the daughter of an electronics mogul, it's naturally Melvin who takes the fall when their prime score turns sour. That's because the girl is the goddaughter of the gang's ruthless crime boss. But, even while dodging bullets, Melvin has to keep his real job secret from his unsuspecting fiancée, Pam.
Release: 1998-04-24
Election (1999)
6.863/10
Tracy Flick is running unopposed for this year’s high school student election. But Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger toward Tracy, Jim talks football player Paul Metzler to run for president as well.
Release: 1999-04-23
Out of Darkness
0/10
How does a divorced, abused and suicidal woman become one of the most successful authors in history, redeeming marriages all over the globe? This incredible true and vulnerable story of God’s healing and redemption starts before Stormie Omartian’s successful book career. In 1970’s Hollywood, Stormie was a young and ambitious actress, navigating a path filled with career setbacks and a tumultuous marriage. Amidst her journey, she encountered Michael Omartian, a music producer who sparked her spiritual curiosity. As she grappled with accepting God’s unconditional love, Stormie was forced to confront her past traumas to break free from the darkness that consumed her.
Release:
Jim (2022)
8/10
Jim, a gay priest, invites a sex worker over for the night. The encounter changes Jim’s life forever, but not as he expects.
Release: 2022-10-13
Buffalo '66 (1998)
7.142/10
Billy is released after five years in prison. In the next moment, he kidnaps teenage student Layla and visits his parents with her, pretending she is his girlfriend and they will soon marry.
Release: 1998-01-20
He Got Game (1998)
6.754/10
A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter prison sentence.
Release: 1998-05-01
Euthanizer (2017)
6.5/10
Euthanizer tells the story of a mechanic who euthanises sick and old pets as a side job. Despite the grim work, he has a soft spot for the animals. Trouble stirs when the owner of a dog he was supposed to end realises that the canine is still alive. The only innocent party in the drama that ensues is the dog itself.
Release: 2017-11-24
Man on Fire (2004)
7.457/10
Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
Release: 2004-04-23
Sarah Payne: A Mother's Story (2017)
0/10
Documentary shedding light on the emotional fallout of the murder of Sarah Payne, the eight-year-old girl who was kidnapped and killed in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex, in 2000. Two weeks after her disappearance, Sarah's body was found, and after a high profile police investigation, Roy Whiting was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Testimonies from friends, family, police officers, key witnesses and experts in criminology are combined with an interview with Sarah's mother, to illustrate the tragic toll the case took on those closest to the victim.
Release: 2017-07-17
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
7.328/10
Times are tough at Premiere Properties. Shelley "the machine" Levene and Dave Moss are veteran salesmen, but only Ricky Roma is on a hot streak. The new Glengarry sales leads could turn everything around, but the front office is holding them back until these "losers" prove themselves. Then someone decides to take matters into his own hands, stealing the Glengarry leads and leaving everyone wondering who did it.
Release: 1992-09-10
Menace II Society (1993)
7.489/10
A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.
Release: 1993-05-26
Bully (2001)
6.675/10
A group of teenagers in South Florida enact a murder plot against their mutual bully, Kent, who has emotionally, physically, and sexually abused them for years.
Release: 2001-06-15