“Two CIA agents. Easter Island. 1973. And absolutely nobody can be trusted.”
From Oscar-winning writer-director Martin McDonagh, the man behind In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, comes Wild Horse Nine, a darkly funny, deliciously offbeat thriller starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell and Steve Buscemi.
Shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) are sent from Santiago to the remote beauty of Easter Island by their bureau chief MJ (Steve Buscemi). Surrounded by the island’s famous statues, the longtime partners find themselves wrestling with old secrets, present-day conspiracies and the uncomfortable question of whether they can still trust one another. Chris’s unexpected friendship with two rebellious students threatens to complicate matters even further.
Expect razor-sharp dialogue, black comedy and mounting paranoia, all played out against one of the most extraordinary settings imaginable. Early reviews have particularly praised the combination of humour and tension, with Flickering Myth describing the film as“another very funny, tense offering from Martin McDonagh.”
Critical Response
Following its appearance at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival, Wild Horse Nine has attracted particular attention for John Malkovich’s performance. Flickering Myth called him an early awards contender, praising a performance that moves between comedy and something altogether more poignant.
For fans of In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, this looks like vintage Martin McDonagh: wickedly funny, beautifully acted and just a little dangerous.
Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, John Malkovich, Parker Posey, Tom Waits
Film Length: 117mins
Format: 2D
Cert: 15
Screenings