[INTERVIEW]: Dead Man’s Wire Brings a Forgotten True Crime Story Back to the Big Screen

Some true stories are so unbelievable they feel fictional until cinema gives them new life. Dead Man’s Wire, directed by Gus Van Sant, is one of those films. Based on the shocking real-life hostage crisis that unfolded in the 1970s, the film revisits a moment in American history when one man hijacked the airwaves to make himself heard. Starring Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and legendary screen presence Al Pacino, the film also features a grounded, deeply human performance from Cary Elwes, who portrays Michael Graybill.

During our conversation with Elwes, the actor opened up about stepping into a true story he admittedly had never heard before, despite being a self-described student of American history. What struck him most was not just the event itself, but how methodically he approached the role. Elwes shared that Graybill’s sons opened their personal archives to him, giving access to diaries, audio recordings, home videos, photographs, and personal belongings. That material became the emotional backbone of his performance, allowing him to build the character from the ground up rather than rely on interpretation alone.

[WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CARY ELWES HERE]

One of the most fascinating layers of Dead Man’s Wire is how it examines media and power before the digital age. Elwes reflected on how the real-life perpetrator, Tony Kiritsis, was able to commandeer television stations and force his grievances onto the public stage, even interrupting national broadcasts. In an era before social media, this was the only way to amplify a voice. As Elwes points out, the film’s themes feel eerily modern. Today, that same desperation might manifest through online platforms, but the core idea remains unchanged: one individual fighting what they perceive as an unjust system.

Tonally, Dead Man’s Wire moves fast and never lets go. Elwes described the film as feeling like a lost classic from the 1970s, evoking the energy of filmmakers like William Friedkin and Sidney Lumet. It is tense, sharp, and unexpectedly darkly funny, refusing to become a standard morality tale. Instead, it drops audiences directly into the chaos, trusting them to keep up. That pacing and confidence make the film feel tailor-made for a theatrical experience rather than a passive watch at home.

Dead Man’s Wire first opened in a limited theatrical release on January 9, giving audiences an early taste of its intensity. The film now expands into a wider theatrical release beginning January 16, inviting more viewers to experience this gripping true story the way it was meant to be seen. If you’re drawn to character-driven crime films, historical thrillers, or stories about media, power, and desperation, this is one worth seeking out on the big screen.