Bill Skarsgård Is an Unlikely Hero in Trailer for ’70s Kidnapping Thriller

The first teaser trailer for Bill Skarsgård‘s latest movie, Dead Man’s Wire, has been released, and it uses its brief 53-second runtime to achieve something uniquely intense. While it’s just a tease of the eventual full-length trailer, it does enough to get viewers invested in the story. Dead Man’s Wire has already had an impressive film festival rollout, garnering positive reviews and audience buzz from various screenings. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and hostage situation perpetrated by Tony Kiritsis in the 1970s.

Dead Man’s Wire also draws inspiration from a 2018 documentary titled Dead Man’s Line, which presents various accounts of the hostage situation and was directed by Alan Berry and Mark Enochs. The movie’s true story element is played up in the trailer, calling it a “revolution that was televised,” as Skarsgård plays a man who feels the financial system in America is against people like him and wants to make a statement by kidnapping his bank’s mortgager. First premiering at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the movie is scheduled for a limited release on January 9, 2026, before expanding on January 16.

One highlight of the teaser is its all-star cast, not only showcasing Skarsgård’s acting prowess but also teasing the involvement of actors like Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, and even Al Pacino in what looks to be a tightly wound, intense film. Perhaps the most interesting part of the teaser trailer is how much it humanizes Skarsgård’s character, Tony, who is clearly shown as a struggling person seeking justice not just for himself but also to represent a larger cause. Overall, it’s an impressive teaser trailer that will hopefully get audiences excited not just for the first full-length trailer but also for when the film hits theaters early next year.

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ is Gus Van Sant’s First Film Since 2018

Dead Man’s Wire is also an exciting film because it marks Gus Van Sant’s first directorial effort since 2018, when he directed Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot. The director is best known for his 1997 movie Good Will Hunting, starring Robin Williams and Matt Damon, and for his 2008 movie Milk, starring Sean Penn. Seven years is a long time between films, and the fact that he found the Dead Man’s Wire script a movie worth making should be more than enough to get audiences interested. Gus Van Sant is no stranger to true stories, which also means he can be trusted to handle the topic in an engaging and respectful manner.

Thanks to the movie’s festival rollout, there are already several reviews of Dead Man’s Wire to help viewers get an idea of what to expect. As of October 2025, the film has a 100% “fresh” rating on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 30 reviews. Critics and reviews of the movie have called it “gripping and funny,” and a triumphant return to movie theaters for Gus Van Sant, once again highlighting the filmmaker’s hiatus from directing. After such a gripping, brief teaser, it will be exciting to see a longer trailer that highlights the talented cast and expert direction.