Al Pacino and Bill Skarsgård’s Top-Reviewed Drama Quietly Kicks Off Broad Theatrical Run

Rightfully so during awards season, many eyes are still laser-focused on the most-talked-about movies of 2025. With the Oscars, BAFTAs, and The Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards) around the corner, big hits from last year likeSinners, Marty Supreme, and One Battle After Another are stealing much of the spotlight from Hollywood. Even looking to the movie releases of 2026, a lot of the anticipation has been building around blockbusters such as Avengers: Doomsdayand The Odyssey. 

With all of that being said, some great movies are set to hit theaters with quiet fanfare. Case in point, a new drama starring The Godfather star Al Pacino and The Crow star Bill Skarsgård hit theaters in a limited release on January 9, and will be more widely released on January 16 (it did a brief and limited stint in cinemas in December just long enough to qualify for the Oscars). The movie has a whopping 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it may be worth the watch. 

'Dead Man's Wire' Hits Movie Theaters

Pacino and Skarsgård are joined by other big names, Coleman Domingo, Myha'la, and Dacre Montgomery in Dead Man's Wire, a riveting drama based on a true story about a kidnapping outlaw who oddly gains a fan base for his crimes. Here’s an official synopsis of the movie: 

"Dead Man’s Wire tells the fascinating true story of the 1977 kidnapping of a prominent banker — a case that captivated the nation and unexpectedly turned the abductor into an outlaw folk hero. As the media frenzy intensifies, the standoff evolves into a spectacle of desperation, defiance, and blurred justice, with themes that still resonate today."

What Are Critics Saying about a 'Dead Man’s Wire'

Again, Dead Man’s Wife has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. William Bibbiani of The Wrap gives much applause to Skarsgård and Montgomery, stating, “Skarsgård is a captivating chaos gremlin, and Montgomery is — in an easily overlooked, but absolutely vital role.” The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney was also blown away by Skarsgård, claiming, “Bill Skarsgard does his strongest work to date.”  Variety’s Owen Gleiberman has some great things to say about the director of the movie, Gus Van Sant, noting, “It’s Van Sant’s most vital piece of work for the big screen in some time.” 

If these reviews and other glowing ones like it are any indication, Dead Man’s Wire offers a nice viewing option in these winter months. Check your local theaters to see if the movie is playing near you.

Related: The Emmys May Finally Right Wrongs for ‘The Wire’, ‘Better Call Saul’, ‘Snowfall’ and More