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'Wild Horse Nine' Enters Awards Race After Venice Premiere
Wild Horse Nine is a new dark comedy directed by Martin McDonagh.
It was shown to journalists at the Venice Film Festival.
The filmmakers and actors received a very warm response.
John Malkovich plays one of two CIA agents in the story.
The agents travel from Santiago to Easter Island just before Chile’s 1973 coup.
The movie also stars Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey.
Malkovich is being mentioned as a possible Oscar contender.
McDonagh said the story was partly inspired by his interest in the CIA and Chilean history.
Searchlight plans to release the film on November 6, 2026.
Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy Wild Horse Nine received a rapturous reception at its Venice press conference.
John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey are among the film’s cast.
Malkovich is being discussed as a potential Best Actor contender after two previous Oscar nominations.
Set before Chile’s 1973 coup, the film follows CIA agents sent from Santiago to Easter Island.
Searchlight has scheduled Wild Horse Nine for release on November 6, 2026.
- Who
- Director Martin McDonagh and actors including John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey.
- What
- Wild Horse Nine premiered for Venice press screenings and generated strong awards-season discussion.
- Where
- The film launched at the Lido and is set partly in Santiago and Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui.
- When
- The film was presented at Venice; its scheduled release date is November 6, 2026.
- Why
- McDonagh said his inspiration included a fascination with the CIA and the fate of Chile’s government under Salvador Allende.
Key facts
- Director
- Martin McDonagh
- Leading cast
- John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey
- Setting
- Just before Chile’s 1973 coup
- Story premise
- Two CIA agents travel from Santiago to Easter Island while confronting pasts and conspiracies.
- Venice reception
- The filmmakers and cast received a rapturous welcome at the press conference.
- Release date
- November 6, 2026
- Production distinction
- The film was described as only the second ever to film on Easter Island/Rapa Nui.
Quotes
Martin McDonagh
Director and writer of Wild Horse Nine
“I never feel in competition with any of them [actor, director and writer collaborators] because generally I love what they do. The nicest thing is that the film gets attention, and this film has several terrific performers in it, and is beautifully written and beautifully directed, and that’s what matters the most to me. But thank you for your kind words.”
deadline.com
“We know what the KGB are like, but we we probably don’t question the CIA’s activities as much as we ought to. That was one of the starting points. I’m always questioning, even in the less less political films [I make]. I like to question authority or what we’re being told.”
deadline.com
Sources
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