Dead Man's Wire

In 1977, Tony Kiritsis, once a rising real estate developer, engineers a drastic gambit to confront the mortgage banker who betrayed him. He activates a dead man's switch tied to their fates and sets a demand that jolts the room: five million dollars and a personal apology. The scheme threads a dangerous alliance between two men who are used to bending the rules, while others on the periphery try to control the fallout. On the surface it looks like a pure extortion, but the plan unravels a web of debts, loyalties, and old scores that tests who truly bears responsibility for the collapse of a community. The tension persists as time ticks down.

Directed by Gus Van Sant from an original screenplay by Austin Kolodney, Dead Man's Wire is a lean 1970s inspired crime drama. The film challenges traditional crime storytelling while keeping the focus on character dynamics and moral stakes.

Reception and themes: The movie probes vengeance, accountability, and the corrosive impact of debt on a community, presenting a restrained yet tense portrait of power dynamics. With Bill Skarsgård and Al Pacino delivering controlled, authoritative performances, it earns admiration from critics and viewers who value restrained thrillers.