Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine opens in US theatres on Friday, 6 November 2026, from Searchlight Pictures — and the early verdict is that John Malkovich is back in the awards conversation.
The dark comedy stars Malkovich as dying CIA operative Chris Carlisle and Sam Rockwell as his partner Lee Chesterfield, sent from Santiago to Easter Island shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup. Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey and Tom Waits co-star.
The film holds a 94 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes from 162 reviews. USA Today gave it 3 out of 4 stars and said Malkovich’s performance has put him “back in the Oscar race.” Malkovich won Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for the role, and the film has also picked up Gotham nominations for McDonagh’s screenplay and Malkovich’s lead performance.
The film runs 1 hour 58 minutes and is rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, drug use and sexual references. It opened in the UK and Ireland on 4 November before its US release.
McDonagh previously directed In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin — films known for sharp dialogue, dark humour and unforgettable characters. Wild Horse Nine continues that run, pairing two of the most distinctive actors of their generation in a story that mixes espionage, mortality and McDonagh’s trademark wit.
For Malkovich, the role is a reminder of his range. Few actors can move between menace and vulnerability the way he does, and critics have singled out his performance as the film’s centre of gravity.
Wild Horse Nine joins a strong season for cinema, from the world premiere of Madden with Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale to the Karoshi trailer starring Teo Yoo and Cynthia Erivo. It is in US theatres now.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.