Venice, September 2025 — Gus Van Sant is back in the spotlight! The acclaimed director of Good Will Hunting, Milk, and Elephant made a bold return to filmmaking with the premiere of his new movie, Dead Man’s Wire, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Though it screened out of competition, the buzz was undeniable. This marks Van Sant’s first feature in seven years, and he’s chosen a wild, true story to tell — the strange and gripping tale of Tony Kiritsis, a man whose dramatic hostage stunt in the 1970s turned him
into an unlikely and controversial folk hero.
In 1977, Indianapolis, Dead Man’s Wire brings to life the shocking real-life hostage crisis involving Tony Kiritsis. Fueled by financial desperation, Kiritsis wired a shotgun to the head of the mortgage company president and forced him into a public standoff. The bizarre spectacle, broadcast live, turned the snowy streets of Indianapolis into the stage for one of America’s most unforgettable criminal events.
Van Sant described the story as “bizarre” and “outrageous,” noting the strange contraption Kiritsis built to ensure he wouldn’t be killed during the standoff. The film explores themes of misguided heroism, systemic failure, and the fine line between desperation and delusion
The film features a compelling ensemble led by Bill Skarsgård, who takes on the intense role of Tony Kiritsis, the desperate real estate developer at the heart of the story. Dacre Montgomery plays Richard “Dick” Hall, the mortgage executive held hostage in the bizarre standoff. Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, and Myha’la round out the supporting cast with key roles that add emotional depth and tension to the narrative. Adding further gravitas, Al Pacino appears in a pivotal supporting role, bringing his signature presence to Van Sant’s darkly comic thriller.
Although Skarsgård was absent from the Venice press event due to filming commitments in Australia, his presence was felt through Montgomery’s praises. Reflecting on their intense time together on set, Montgomery shared, “We spent a month wired together in a room, and honestly, I’ve never bonded more deeply with a cast mate.” That connection, he explained, helped shape the emotional core of the film.
Montgomery shared that Van Sant personally reached out to offer him the role — and casually mentioned he’d be playing a 56-year-old. At just 30, the actor admitted the casting stretched his expectations. “It was a real shift for me,” he said. “I usually approach characters with a fixed mindset — everything’s rehearsed, studied, and locked in. But Gus doesn’t work that way. He pushes you to stay open, to let the character and story evolve organically as the shoot unfolds. It was a huge learning curve, but also incredibly freeing.”