Wild Horse Nine, 2026.
Directed by Martin McDonagh.
Starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey, Tom Waits, Mariana di Girolamo, and Ailín Salas.
SYNOPSIS:
CIA agents Chris and Lee face a trust-testing mission from Santiago to Easter Island during 1973 in Chile.
Few directors have a style as instantly recognisable as Martin McDonagh, combining razor-sharp black comedy with often farcical situations that more often than not feature relationships between male characters (save Three Billboards). In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin and Seven Psychopaths all have his trademark blend of humour, action and characters with more depth than they initially appear to have.
His latest, Wild Horse Nine is another two hander, this time depicting CIA agents based out of Chile in the early 70s, taking a sabbatical to Easter Island. The premise immediately tells us that this is no run of the mill spy caper. Playing these jaded spies are John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. Malkovich’s Chris is a shadow of his former self, now prone to letting slip details he shouldn’t while Lee (Rockwell) often cleans up his mess and has to keep an eye out for his former mentor.
This being McDonagh, the pairs attempts to lie low on Easter Island don’t quite go to plan and what is intended to be a scenic tour of the island’s heads quickly results in a tense standoff with MJ the station chief in Chile played by Steve Buscemi. The duo are constantly paranoid as it becomes clear no one can be trusted. Can this old friends even still trust each other? The idyllic setting transformed into a lingering sea of paranoia, threatening to burst at any point.
This is not territory McDonagh hasn’t explored before, particularly with In Bruges, which boasts a similar premise of two hitmen laying low in a foreign country. The island setting makes this feel like a marriage of that and The Banshees of Inisherin. It doesn’t simply feel like a rehash however with the cast bringing the crackling dialogue to life wonderfully. Malkovich has emerged as an early awards contender for his hilarious and equal turns devastating turn as someone who is losing his grip but still capable of moments of bright precision. Rockwell and Buscemi are fine foils with Parker Posey bringing energy in a smaller turn as Lee’s wife Marge, back in the US.
Wild Horse Nine is another very funny, tense offering from Martin McDonagh. Even if it covers ground that he has trodden before, everyone is at the top of their game and there is enough to differentiate from his previous works. Fans of the director and cast will find plenty to enjoy in a film that captures his usual idiosyncrasies and the tension and volatility of Chile and South America in the early 70s.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Chris Connor
