John Malkovich Is an Instant Oscar Favorite in Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine' | Review

Published Oct 22, 2026, 2:13 PM EDT

In addition to being a die-hard fan of filmmaking, television, video gaming, and anything else with a gripping narrative, Aidan Kelley is also a passionate and detail-oriented writer and journalist at Collider.com. In addition to his work as a Senior Resource Writer, Aidan has also contributed to Collider's features and news reporting sections. He has covered major industry events, such as San Diego Comic-Con and the D23 Expo, and has had the privelege of interviewing industry stars like Bruce Campbell, Maggie Q, Chad Stahelski, and more. This sincere love for the art of storytelling began at a young age, with Aidan making video movie reviews for the news program at his local high school. That love only increased over the years, with an ongoing career in independent filmmaking and screenwriting after graduating with a degree in Film and television from DePaul University.

It is pretty darn surprising that John Malkovich hasn't won an Oscar yet. The legendary actor has been nominated twice — once for Places in the Heart and then again for In the Line of Fire — but has never taken home the coveted prize. Over the course of his long and varied career, he's played just about every kind of role, from the deeply serious to the darkly comedic, and his latest has a little bit of both of those extremes, in a movie from one of the industry's best writers and directors.

Someone who has won an Oscar is Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh — albeit for his debut short film, Six Shooter, and not for a feature (though he's been nominated for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay multiple times since). Since that award-winning start, McDonagh has enjoyed a truly remarkable run with In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin, with his work evolving from crowd-pleasing cult classics to major award season contenders. However, his newest film, Wild Horse Nine, toes the line between those two modes, and in doing so, leads to one of John Malkovich's best performances in years. Perhaps, at 73, the actor will finally take a statuette home.

What Is 'Wild Horse Nine' About?

Image via Searchlight Pictures

The year is 1973, and in the South American country of Chile, two Americans, Chris (Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell), are planning a trip to Easter Island — a place Chris has always wanted to visit. But what seems like a simple vacation is far from it, as Chris and Lee both just happen to be CIA operatives. Lee is fully cognizant that they are privy to some of the United States' biggest secrets, scandals, and controversies, but Chris' advanced age and failing memory are causing problems for Chris and Lee's boss, MJ (Steve Buscemi). This turns the vacation into an official mission, one where Lee has to decide between his friend's wishes and his duty to his country.

It should come as no surprise that Wild Horse Nine, like McDonagh's previous films, is absolutely hilarious from start to finish, with his enviable skill in crafting creative insults and darkly comedic moments second-to-none here. However, like his most recent efforts Three Billboards and Banshees, laughter isn't the only thing that Wild Horse Nine will elicit. The film also boasts a strong emotional core, truly heartbreaking moments, and some genuinely compelling real-world commentary that never feels too overbearing.

In many ways, Wild Horse Nine could almost be considered the anti-Banshees of Inisherin. That film was about two people in a friendship that had already died, while Wild Horse Nine is about holding onto a friendship to its last dying breath — coping with not just impending death in a literal sense, but also the demise of a lifelong connection. The script is well-written enough on its own for that story to hit, but the performances are what really make Wild Horse Nine a special ride.

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell Are an Oscar-Worthy Pair in 'Wild Horse Nine'

Image by Photagonist

It's hard to think that there were ever other actors in the running for the roles of Chris and Lee, as Malkovich and Rockwell feel like the only two who could have pulled these characters off with the level of precision and charm that they require. With the aforementioned witty writing and some off-the-charts chemistry, Chris and Lee enter the exclusive pantheon of great movie duos. The two have a perfect balance of playful jabs, irritable rants, and most importantly, a lot of genuine heart and soul.

This is, without question, John Malkovich's finest performance since Burn After Reading, which feels apt considering the darkly comedic parallels between McDonagh's latest and that Coen Brothers cult classic. Yes, Chris doesn't feel like too much of a stretch for Malkovich as far as the material goes, but the actor injects so much life and personality into every single line of dialogue that he's a fascinating character to study, and we're thrilled watching him grow in his time on Easter Island, after a long career as a CIA operative and a life filled with stories one simply wouldn't believe.

Malkovich's Chris very much feels like the star of the show, but the supporting cast isn't anything to scoff at either. Sam Rockwell, McDonagh's longtime collaborator, unsurprisingly fits back into his charismatic flow with ease, matching his on-screen best friend's wit while still selling the stronger emotional moments. Other standouts include Steve Buscemi's delightful stick-in-the-mud CIA boss as well as Mariana di Girolamo as a student with whom Chris and Lee have a few unexpected run-ins.

Easter Island itself almost feels like a character throughout the entirety of Wild Horse Nine, too. A unique locale that is rarely at the forefront in cinema, the island is extremely pleasant to look at, and feels quite different from the American streets of Missouri or the isolated hamlets of Inisherin.

'Wild Horse Nine' Isn't a Gut Punch, But It Is an Enjoyable Ride

Wild Horse Nine is an interesting entry in Martin McDonagh's filmmography; it doesn't have the emotional gut punches of his most recent two movies, nor is it quite as tongue-in-cheek as the two before that. That said, it bears with it enough positive elements from every single one of his past films, including dynamite characters and a meaningful commentary on the dangers of unchecked power within a government and the type of effects it can have on the people involved. It's another stellar entry in McDonagh's repertoire, but above all else, it is an extremely enjoyable ride.

Cast

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  Chris

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  Lee

Pros & Cons

• John Malkovich's best performance in years.
• Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, and the rest of the supporting cast are very strong.
• Martin McDonagh's character and dialogue writing is as strong as ever.
• Easter Island is a wonderful setting.