‘Wild Horse Nine’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed as Martin McDonagh’s CIA Comedy Gains Awards Buzz

Martin McDonagh has crafted a reputation for his sharp, deadpan character studies that blend dark humor with emotional depth, from the troubled hitmen in ‘In Bruges’ to the fractured friendship in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ His latest film, however, shifts to a different setting while retaining his signature tone.

‘Wild Horse Nine‘ centers on two CIA operatives, Chris and Lee, portrayed by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. They are sent from Santiago to Easter Island by their bureau chief MJ, played by Steve Buscemi, just before the 1973 Chilean coup that would topple the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival, offering critics their first glimpse of McDonagh’s fifth feature, which continues his exploration of morally complex characters grappling with their pasts.

With reviews now in, ‘Wild Horse Nine’ boasts an impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 15 reviews, making it one of the most talked-about films from this year’s Venice lineup. Searchlight Pictures is set to release it domestically on November 6.

Critics have particularly praised Malkovich’s performance, highlighting it as a key strength of the film. Variety’s review pointed out that Chris is grappling with late-stage cancer and early-stage dementia, dictating memoir excerpts into a recorder while reflecting on his role in decades of American intervention abroad. Malkovich’s subtle performance is deemed essential to the film’s emotional resonance, according to Variety.

The blend of dark humor and genuine emotion mirrors McDonagh’s established style, with several reviews drawing parallels to his earlier works. The Hollywood Reporter described the film as merging “the wry humor of In Bruges’ fractious hitmen” with “the melancholic island setting of The Banshees of Inisherin,” suggesting that the result resonates on both personal and political levels.

However, not all critics were entirely convinced. IndieWire offered a more tempered review, calling the film “prickly but unconvincing” and suggesting it “strains to translate the post-Guy Ritchie bark of ‘In Bruges’ into the language of a classic American Western.” TheWrap was even more critical, labeling it “McDonagh’s driest crime comedy,” while still acknowledging Malkovich’s performance as “glorious.”

Set against the backdrop of Pinochet’s rise to power, ‘Wild Horse Nine’ carries a heavier political undertone than some of McDonagh’s previous comedies. According to Deadline, the narrative follows Chris and Lee as they deal with the repercussions of American involvement in Chile, complicated by interactions with two Chilean tourists, played by Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas. Their evolving relationship with Chris leads the film toward an emotionally charged climax.

The film’s cast also features Parker Posey as Lee’s wife Marge and Tom Waits in a supporting role, contributing to an ensemble that critics have consistently praised for its chemistry, particularly the dynamic between Malkovich and Rockwell as longtime partners whose shared history becomes increasingly tense throughout their journey.

As the film generates early buzz for awards season, Malkovich’s performance is being highlighted as a potential contender. With Carter Burwell composing the score and Ben Davis handling cinematography, the film’s production quality adds further weight to its awards potential ahead of its wider release.

With a strong debut on Rotten Tomatoes and a November theatrical release on the horizon, ‘Wild Horse Nine’ is poised to be a significant contender in the upcoming awards season as it reaches broader audiences.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!