Film Evaluate: ‘Useless Man’s Wire’


(L to R): Dacre Montgomery and Invoice Skarsgard in ‘Useless Man’s Wire.’ Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

In theaters on restricted launch from December 9 (increasing on December 16) is ‘Useless Man’s Wire’ a strange-but-true crime story from director Gus Van Sant (‘Drugstore Cowboy’).

“His revolution was televised.”

Launch Date: Jan 16, 2026

Run Time: 1 hr 45 min

The solid is led by Invoice Skarsgård (‘It’), Dacre Montgomery (‘Elvis’) and Cary Elwes (‘The Princess Bride’).

Associated Article: TV Evaluate: ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’

Preliminary Ideas

Colman Domingo in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

Colman Domingo in ‘Useless Man’s Wire.’ Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

For his first function in six years, director Gus Van Sant has picked a well-known sample –– a true-life story. And ‘Useless Man’s Wire’ actually boasts a compelling hook. A kidnapping case that was domestically notorious in Indiana that briefly attracted nationwide consideration within the late Seventies.

However with some odd tonal decisions, the film doesn’t at all times do justice to what’s an enchanting story of desperation and candor.

Script and Course

(L to R) Al Pacino and director 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.

(L to R) Al Pacino and director Gus Van Sant attend Row Ok’s ‘Useless Man’s Wire’ Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.

The script from Austin Kolodney (a filmmaker behind numerous shorts and who has labored in a variety of roles on totally different motion pictures) takes a largely real-time strategy to the story of Tony Kiritsis and his grudge in opposition to a neighborhood mortgage firm.

It’s a strong basis for an entertaining film, and one which director Gus Van Sant is aware of how you can make effectively. But the difficulty is with a few of the stylistic methods and the occasional shifts in tone that don’t at all times work with the plot itself and undercut the ability.

Solid and Performances

Cary Elwes in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

Cary Elwes in ‘Useless Man’s Wire.’ Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

The solid is the particular spotlight of the film, with Skarsgård, for as soon as not buried beneath a mountain of prosthetics, giving a memorable, charismatic efficiency because the determined, however maybe misguided central determine.

Dacre Montgomery additionally has an opportunity to shine because the sufferer of the kidnapping, a person whose wealthy household is just to keen to throw him beneath the bus relating to negotiating together with his captor.

Outdoors of the primary pair, Cary Elwes is great as a detective, Al Pacino steals a few scenes as Montgomery’s character’s father, and Myha’la will get some good moments as a reporter who’s first to report on the growing state of affairs.

Ultimate Ideas

Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in 'Dead Man's Wire'. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

Invoice Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in ‘Useless Man’s Wire’. Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

Regardless of its occasional overreliance on stylistic tics, ‘Useless Man’s Wire’ is a compelling remedy of a real-life case, one which has resonances even right now.

‘Useless Man’s Wire’ receives 70 out of 100.

(L to R): Dacre Montgomery and Bill Skarsgard in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.

(L to R): Dacre Montgomery and Invoice Skarsgard in ‘Useless Man’s Wire.’ Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

What’s the plot of ‘Useless Man’s Wire’?

The movie is impressed by the 1977 Indianapolis hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis (Invoice Skarsgård) and facilities on the escalation of a public confrontation formed by negotiation, media consideration, and legislation enforcement response.

Who’s within the solid of ‘Useless Man’s Wire’?

  • Invoice Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis
  • Dacre Montgomery as Richard Corridor
  • Cary Elwes as Detective Michael Grable
  • Myha’la as Linda Web page
  • Colman Domingo as Fred Temple
  • Al Pacino as M.L. Corridor
  • John Robinson as John the Cameraman
  • Kelly Lynch as Mabel Corridor
'Dead Man's Wire' opens in theaters on January 16th. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

‘Useless Man’s Wire’ opens in theaters on January sixteenth. Picture: Row Ok Leisure.

Checklist of Films Directed by Gus Van Sant:

Purchase Tickets: ‘Useless Man’s Wire’ Film Showtimes

Purchase Gus Van Sant motion pictures and TV on Amazon

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