Actor Dacre Montgomery shares insights into portraying Richard Hall in Gus Van Sant's upcoming film Dead Man's Wire, based on a real 1977 hostage crisis. He discusses the physical demands of the role and his collaboration with co-star Bill Skarsgård. Montgomery also reflects on the end of Stranger Things and his directorial debut.
Dacre Montgomery, known for his role as Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things, takes on a challenging lead in Gus Van Sant's Dead Man's Wire. The film draws from the 1977 Indianapolis incident where businessman Tony Kiritsis held mortgage executive Richard Hall hostage using a shotgun attached to a "dead man's wire" around Hall's neck. Montgomery plays Hall, while Bill Skarsgård portrays Kiritsis.
Montgomery was drawn to the project after a personal call from Van Sant, a director he admired. Despite age and appearance differences—Hall was 55 and Montgomery 31 at the time—he committed fully, altering his look by bolding his features and removing his eyebrows. "Gus is super collaborative and trusts the process," Montgomery said.
Preparation involved deep research into Hall's life, including a book Hall wrote post-incident, which detailed his loss of sobriety and family tragedies. Montgomery created a custom perfume to embody the character and the 1970s era, spraying it on his costume daily. Filming was physically intense, with real wire and tight handcuffs causing bruises on his neck, arms, and back. "I’m always someone who’s going to be pushing to have the handcuffs tighter and the wire to be real," he explained, noting it enhanced authenticity in the 105-minute film shot in limited locations.
Working closely with Skarsgård fostered an unexpected dynamic. "We’re more like dance partners than scene partners," Montgomery described, leading to darkly comedic elements amid the tension. The ensemble cast, including Al Pacino and Colman Domingo, added depth; Pacino even hosted a pre-shoot dinner to discuss the industry.
Reflecting on Stranger Things' recent conclusion, Montgomery expressed optimism about the Duffer Brothers' future projects. He recently wrapped directing and starring in his first feature film, calling it a life-changing experience. Montgomery credits overcoming anxiety—viewing it as a "superpower"—for his drive, alongside his self-described OCD.