Gus Van Sant marks his return with a gripping thriller: trailer

Dead Man’s Wire will tell the true story of a harrowing kidnapping that shook America in the 1970s.

It’s the story of a man who has nothing left to lose.

For his return to cinema, Gus Van Sant looks at the life of Tony Kiritsis, who became famous in 1977 when he kidnapped his creditor, demanding money and an apology from a system that had put his head under water. A dramatic day will follow during which Tony will keep his hostage at gunpoint, at the end of his shotgun.

Dead Man’s Wire will be Gus Van Sant’s first film since 2018. The 73-year-old filmmaker, revealed with My Own Private Idaho (1991), confirmed by Will Hunting (1997) and crowned with a Palme d’Or at Cannes with Elephant (2003), attempts to return to the forefront with this hyper-tense thriller that is totally in tune with the times. It must be said that his latest films have gone completely unnoticed. As Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foothis latest project led by Joaquin Phoenix, which only made $3 million worldwide and was only seen by 30,000 people in France. Gus Van Sant’s last real success was almost 20 years ago, with Milk (2008), the Oscar-nominated biopic.

For Dead Man’s Wirethe director has surrounded himself with an amazing cast: Bill Skarsgård leaves his Pennywise costume (Ca) to play Tony Kiritsis, while Dacre Montgomery (revealed in Stranger Things) will be his hostage. Al Pacino will play his unscrupulous father while Colman Domingo will play a compassionate radio host.

Synopsis: “Inspired by a true story. 1977, the relationship between Tony Kiritsis, a former real estate developer who put a price on his head, and that of the mortgage banker who wronged him, demanding $5 million and a personal apology.”

Passed out of competition by the Venice Festival, Dead Man’s Wire will only be released on April 15, 2026 in theaters in France.