John Malkovich outshines everyone in this film and plays the best (age) role imaginable, full of melancholy and rebellion.
Even the giant heads on Easter Island are surprised – so much drama has never happened before them. After “See Bruges… and die?” and “The Banshees of Inisherin”, Martin McDonagh follows up with another buddy movie “Wild Horse Nine”, replacing his favorite duo However, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson came through this time John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. This turns out to be perfect casting and makes the film another highlight in the director’s work.
Scene from “Wild Horse Nine”
Two agents on Easter Island
When in Chile in 1973 – with the strong involvement of the US secret services – all signs pointed to a coup and military coup and time seemed to be running out for the democratically elected President Allende, the CIA sent two agents in the form of Chris (Malkovich) and Lee (Rockwell) go to Easter Island. Maybe to make sure everything is right and protect America’s interests? Not only do the two have to cope with the extremely dangerous present, but they also carry burdens from the past with them. In addition, Chris in particular behaves particularly unprofessionally and endangers the mission by dealing with two rebellious students (Mariana di Girolamo and Ailin Salas) gets in touch. Meanwhile, in the capital Santiago, the suspicious superior MJ (Steve Buscemi) keeps a close eye on his two agents and is pulling the strings to a dirty game that will result in fatalities.
Scene from “Wild Horse Nine”
Secrecy as the highest duty
Actually, the reason for the CIA duo’s presence on the island remains unclear to us for the longest time. Chris seems tired, disillusioned, disgusted with his previous (professional) life and behaves as if he has nothing left to lose. At first it seems very strange why this old agent, of all people, was sent with his partner – and only friend – to the remote archipelago, where there are hardly any people but all the more wild horses (he will also become friends with one of them, so to speak). When we finally find out about the motives, things really start to get exciting. But since we’re in a spy movie, secrecy is paramount and it wouldn’t be smart to reveal too much about the plot.
Scene from “Wild Horse Nine”
Lots of questions and a masterful script
At most, a few hints and questions are permitted: Anyone could be playing a double game here, no hotel employee is to be trusted and perhaps one friend may even stab the other in the back. What’s in Chris’ mysterious suitcase, why does he always have a Dictaphone with him, how can the Chile of ’73 be linked to the Kennedy assassination of ’63, and will Chris ever reach his dream destination of Venice? McDonagh provides satisfying answers to all of this in his masterful script, combining a private tragedy with the machinations of unscrupulous US politics. Every now and then a sleepy Tom Waits answers the phone and sits down with the phone in front of a mountain hut with a view of Monument Valley.
Scene from “Wild Horse Nine”
Malkovich with Oscar chances
Sam Rockwell is, as always, an excellent actor, but this time he has a particularly difficult time because Malkovich proves to be a true force of nature and dominates the film because of him McDonagh has written an unforgettable and effective role. His Chris is haunted by death-drunk melancholy, but has still retained his grit and an enviable coolness, which he can exploit in terrific dialogues. It is not without reason that Malkovich was named best actor at the Venice International Film Festival this year and was honored with the Coppa Volpi. The next stop for him will most likely be the Oscar stage next March.
5 out of 5 dead horses on the side of the road