Get ready for a masterclass in dark comedy and razor-sharp dialogue. Acclaimed writer-director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Banshees of Inisherin) returns with his latest feature, Wild Horse Nine.
Distributed by Searchlight Pictures, the film boasts one of the most stellar ensemble casts of 2026, anchored by powerhouse performances and a uniquely eccentric premise.
What is Wild Horse Nine About?
Set shortly before the turbulent 1973 Chilean coup, Wild Horse Nine follows veteran CIA officer Chris Carlisle (John Malkovich) and his protégé Lee Chesterfield (Sam Rockwell). Dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) by their bureau chief MJ (Steve Buscemi), the longtime partners are forced to grapple with their dark personal histories and unfolding political conspiracies.
Things spiral wildly off course when Chris forms an unexpected bond with a rebellious college student, Monica (Mariana di Girolamo) and her travel companion Alicia (Ailín Salas), throwing a wrench into an already volatile mission on a remote paradise.
Star-Studded Cast & Crew
Martin McDonagh is known for assembling top-tier talent, and Wild Horse Nine is no exception:
- John Malkovich as Chris Carlisle (won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival)
- Sam Rockwell as Lee Chesterfield
- Steve Buscemi as MJ
- Mariana di Girolamo as Monica
- Ailín Salas as Alicia
- Tom Waits as Jim (Chris’s brother)
- Parker Posey as Marge (Lee’s wife)
Watch the Trailers
Catch a glimpse of the witty banter, tension, and gorgeous cinematography shot on location in Rapa Nui and Santiago through the official promotional links below:
Main Trailer: Watch on YouTube
Trailer Link 2: Watch on YouTube
Release Date and Reception
Following its world premiere in the main competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and subsequent stops on the festival circuit, Wild Horse Nine officially lands in theaters on November 6, 2026, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.
Early critical reception has praised the film for its signature McDonagh-esque caustic wit, stellar chemistry, and a rhythmic screenplay that balances absurdity with political backdrop.
