Our take
Dead Man's Wire dramatizes Tony Kiritsis holding a mortgage broker at shotgun-point with a dead man's switch rigged to his neck. Rated R for language throughout, Gus Van Sant's period thriller is talky and tense rather than action-heavy. Dialogue includes constant f-word, shotgun wiring, cigarette offers, and abduction references. Bill Skarsgard plays Kiritsis with dark humor. Best for mature teens interested in true crime; the hostage setup is stressful throughout
Uplifting themes
Empathy from negotiators is shown, though outcomes stay grim
Story (may spoil tone)
In 1977, former real estate developer Tony Kiritsis puts a dead man's switch on himself and the mortgage banker who did him wrong, demanding $5 million and a personal apology.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Shotgun hostage setup dominates; sudden violence is possible but not sp…
Shotgun hostage setup dominates; sudden violence is possible but not splatter-focused
Language Language throughout includes relentless f-word on both sides
Language throughout includes relentless f-word on both sides
Sex / nudity No sex found in this title
No sex found in this title
Drugs / alcohol Cigarettes offered during the standoff
Cigarettes offered during the standoff
Frightening Prolonged hostage tension and media glare stay unnerving
Prolonged hostage tension and media glare stay unnerving
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons No gore found in this title
No gore found in this title
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Financial ruin and family shame motivate the crisis
Financial ruin and family shame motivate the crisis
Talk after watching
- Tony feels cheated by the banking system. Can you understand anger without approving his choices?
- Dick is trapped with a shotgun wired to his neck. How would you stay calm in a hostage crisis?