Wild Horse Nine - Review (London Film Festival 2026)
Good Luck With All the Democracy and Stuff.
Seen at the BFI London Film Festival 2026
Review written by Jack Aling
Wild Horse Nine is directed and written by Martin McDonagh.
Starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi & Mariana di Girolamo.
Shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, CIA agents Chris and Lee are dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island by their bureau chief, MJ. Amongst the Island's iconic statues, and as the longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies, Chris's newfound bond with a pair of rebellious students threatens to send everyone’s trip to this remote paradise sideways.
I don't think I'll ever tire of a Martin McDonagh script. There's something spontaneous about his dialogue, like he's not in control of his own characters, but slowly you see the masterplan come into shape and realise he's been in control the whole time. Paired with cast and crew at the top of their game, the result is the sun-soaked and wickedly relentless Wild Horse Nine.
John Malkovich delivers his unique shade of sincere wrath as the film's emotional core, paired with Sam Rockwell's unbelievable face acting, bringing some much-needed assurance and companionship.
Very much a spiritual sequel to In Bruges, this story of hitmen on holiday in Easter Island slowly reveals itself to be something much more tragic. The layers unpeel with the darkly comedic tone staying perfectly balanced until the very end, showing why McDonagh is a master of his craft.
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