Venice 2026: Two CIA Buddies Visit Easter Island in ‘Wild Horse Nine’​

“Don’t pull rank on me! I’ve killed people in countries you can’t even spell.” Who’s ready to take a trip down to Easter Island and see some big heads? Join Lee and Chris on their adventure to Rapa Nui and find out just what they’re up to there. Or maybe it’s better we don’t know. Wild Horse Nine is the latest raucous comedy written and directed by British filmmaker Martin McDonagh and it’s premiering across the 2026 Venice & Telluride & Toronto Film Festivals this fall. I’m pleased to report that this is one of McDonagh’s best films yet! Perhaps even his best since In Bruges from 2008 (which is still one of my favorites all these years later). Just like all of his films, this one feature a couple of psychopaths causing some violent mayhem in a strange place all the while dropping copious F-bombs and offensive jokes galore. Wild Horse Nine is an amusing buddy comedy about two CIA goofballs who go on a little vacation to Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui) right before bad stuff is about to go down in Chile in the 1970s (unfortunately thanks to the help of the CIA).

Both written and directed by Martin McDonagh, this is one of his sharpest scripts yet. It’s a harsh criticism of America’s involvement in overthrowing other country’s governments and an even harsher criticism of CIA schmucks and their “destabilization” tactics. John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell co-star as classic CIA agents Chris and Lee stationed down in Chile in the 1970s. Their bureau chief MJ, played ever so sharply by Steve Buscemi, dispatches them from Santiago over to Easter Island. There the “longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies.” This new film is most similar to McDonagh’s In Bruges, also about two goofball assassins, following them bumbling around as one reaches the end of his time and the other rambles on about anything and everything in his mind. This time the dialogue is all about the CIA’s exploits, with an amusing subplot related to JFK’s assassination playing up the idea that one of these guys may (or may not??) have been involved in that CIA operation, too. Deep within the darker corners of this clever and comical screenplay, it’s about both of them coming to reckon within their dark deeds and what’s coming next. And whether or not there’s any redemption or any hope or if they’re just plain ol’ bad guys. A chance meeting with two Chilean students throws their initially simple island sightseeing plans into turmoil.

This is easily one of my favorite Malkovich performances – up there with any of his iconic roles. Not only does he craft such a kooky fun CIA character, the way he evolves subtly in his emotions and expressions over the film is sublime. I also dig Rockwell and the way they bounce off of each other. Their buddy-not-so-buddy shenanigans is what makes it so enjoyable, even if it’s about a particularly dark topic that’s as relevant today as it was in the 1970s. This seems to be McDonagh’s forte, balancing all the spicy humor and darkness and commentary into a film that is actually delightful to watch despite being about something horrible about to happen. They even discuss this at one point, explaining what’s next for Chile. So much of the film dips into exposing the CIA’s tactics & America’s over-confident obsession with manipulating the world (and stamping out any socialism). Whether or not any of what Malkovich’s Chris says is true or not doesn’t actually matter (though I believe most of it likely is true). He’s just playing a character and, like Colin Farrell in In Bruges, he’s instantly iconic and unforgettable. It’s all topped off by bright, colorful, evocative cinematography by DP Ben Davis to bring everyone right onto the island with them. The film’s other real surprise: Mariana Di Girólamo as one of the students they encounter. She’s as delightful & vital as the other boys in the cast.

Tag along mainly to watch Malkovich & Rockwell bickering non-stop, but stay for the hilarious commentary on cheese & dinosaurs. This is a trip you’ll want to take with these bozos even if you might not make it back.

Alex’s Venice 2026 Rating: 8 out of 10
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