The film Dead Man’s Wire, which hit theatres on January 16th, shares the true story of an Indianapolis man who has been taken advantage of by Meridian Mortgage company who takes matters into his own hands.
Tony Kiritsis, played by Bill Skarsgård, puts a dead man’s wire around the neck of Richard Hall, played by Dacre Montgomery who is the son of M.L Hall, the wealthy mortgage broker, played by Al Pacino. The film shares Kiritsis’ frantic behaviour but logical thinking as he holds Hall hostage in his apartment for days, negotiating with the police through beloved radio voice Fred Temple, played by Colman Domingo.
The entire cast shines, with Skarsgård perfectly playing an angry man, desperate for justice after being wronged by the rich, but who clearly has been pushed to this last resort. Through stuttering sentences, trying to find humour and compassion with Hall, and his adoration for Temple, Kiritsis is humanized through and through. Even Montgomery’s portrayal of Hall is of one who is being punished because of his rich daddy who is quite indifferent at his son’s hostage situation. Domingo is perfect for the role of a smooth radio DJ, in an amazing 70s wardrobe that feels as though Domingo has been placed in the past and is not even Fred Temple but a version of himself.
The timing of this film is quite poignant. Considering the legal case of Luigi Mangione who allegedly killed someone due to issues with an insurance company, and much of the world’s continued discontent at the rich who evade taxes and put undue stress on the poor – Dead Man’s Wire, and it’s conclusion, feels like a small pause in a barrage of anger surrounding 2025 and 2026.
Catch Dead Man’s Wire in theatres now!
Hillary LeBlanc
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