I had the privilege of attending a press screening of Dead Man’s Wire at the Wilshire Screening Room in Los Angeles, and from the opening moments, the film establishes a strong sense of confidence.
It does not ease into its story. It pulls you in, creating a tense, immersive atmosphere that remains consistently engaging from the first frame to the last. Surrounded by fellow film journalists and reviewers, I could feel the room watching carefully, reacting less loudly, but with a shared tension that never really broke.
At the center of the film is a commanding performance by Bill Skarsgård, who once again proves his ability to inhabit complex, volatile characters fully. Interestingly, just days before watching the film, his image appeared on my Instagram feed while he was filming another project in Morocco, the country where I come from.
IMAGE: Todd Williamson / JanuaryImages. – Cary Elwes, Colman Domingo, Gus Van Sant, Megan Colligan and XXX attend Row K’s Dead Man’s Wire Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
That unexpected connection made his presence on screen feel even more immediate, but it is his performance that truly holds your attention. He carries the film effortlessly, balancing intensity with unexpected flashes of dark humor that land naturally rather than feeling forced. Some moments genuinely made me laugh out loud, even as the stakes remained high.
The direction is confident and assured and easily ranks among the director’s stronger works. The film does an excellent job of transporting the audience to the 1970s, capturing not just the era’s look but also its rhythm and limitations.
The period details are sharp and authentic, from the wardrobe and cars to the old police procedures and lack of tactical sophistication. These elements add texture and even moments of unintended humor, reinforcing how different the systems of that time truly were.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Al Pacino’s role unfolds gradually, quietly anchoring the film with a steady presence that grows in impact as the story progresses. His performance never overwhelms the narrative; instead, it deepens it. Coleman Domingo also stands out, bringing charisma and energy whenever he appears, adding levity and personality that enrich the film’s larger ensemble.
IMAGE: Todd Williamson / JanuaryImages. – Al Pacino, left, and Gus Van Sant attend Row K’s Dead Man’s Wire Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
What makes Dead Man’s Wire particularly compelling is how it balances tension with character-driven moments. The film never becomes static, even during its quieter stretches. While the pacing is deliberate, it allows the story to breathe and gives weight to the psychological standoff at its core. The tension builds gradually and remains present throughout.
As a true crime dramatization, the film succeeds in telling a fascinating real-life story that many audiences may not be familiar with. It avoids turning its subject into a spectacle while still acknowledging how quickly private desperation can become public theater. Beneath the tension and dark humor lies a subtle commentary on power, financial pressure, and social imbalance, themes that feel strikingly relevant today.
Ultimately, Dead Man’s Wire is a taut, tense, and engaging film anchored by strong performances and a bold tonal identity. It is not interested in easy answers or conventional thrills. Instead, it offers an unsettling, often darkly funny look at a moment where desperation, media attention, and human fragility collide.
If you approach it as a character-driven true crime story rather than a traditional thriller, Dead Man’s Wire is a rewarding and memorable experience that lingers well beyond its final scene.
Author: Simo Benbachir, correspondent for leading media outlets in the Middle East and Europe, and the first Moroccan journalist reporting from Hollywood’s biggest stages, from the Grammys to the Oscars.
IMAGE: Todd Williamson / JanuaryImages. – Gus Van Sant, left, and Colman Domingo attend Row K’s Dead Man’s Wire Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
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