Overview

• Premiering out of competition, the film drew a lengthy standing ovation in Venice, where Van Sant also received the Campari Passion for Film award.
• Early reviews are split, with strong notices for Bill Skarsgård’s performance and craft elements, alongside critiques that call the film conventional or ethically murky next to 1970s touchstones like Dog Day Afternoon.
• Based on the 1977 Tony Kiritsis case, the drama depicts a hostage standoff involving a rigged shotgun, a $5 million demand and a push for a public apology, with Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Myha’la, Cary Elwes and Al Pacino in the ensemble.
• Van Sant and cast linked the period story to current anti‑institutional anger and cited recent events for renewed relevance, noting the script was not changed during production.
• After its Venice bow, the independently scaled feature is seeking U.S. distribution, with WME handling sales.