Overview

• Premiering out of competition at Venice on Sept. 2, the film drew a lengthy standing ovation and chants for the director.
• Based on the 1977 Tony Kiritsis hostage ordeal in Indianapolis, the movie blends tense standoff filmmaking with dark comedy.
• Reviews praise Bill Skarsgård’s lead turn and the ensemble, with frequent comparisons to Dog Day Afternoon and debate over the film’s sympathetic framing and factual tweaks.
• Van Sant told press that incidents like the Luigi Mangione case resonated with the project’s themes but did not alter its tone or screenplay.
• The film is seeking U.S. distribution with WME handling sales, and Van Sant received Venice’s Campari Passion for Film Award at the premiere.