Wild Horse Nine Brings John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell Together for a 1973 CIA Chile Trip
John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell star as two CIA operatives sent to undermine Salvador Allende’s government in Chile in 1973, rte.ie reported. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the new movie follows the pair to Easter Island, 3,500km out into the Pacific, where their journey prompts a reckoning among the island’s stone statues.
The film shifts across genres, operating as a comedy caper, a political thriller, and a critique of US foreign policy. Malkovich plays Chris Carlisle, an eccentric CIA agent facing terminal cancer and Catholic guilt. Rockwell portrays his partner, Lee Chesterfield, who joins the mission for his own distinct reasons.
Malkovich Earns Venice Accolade as Dying Agent Chris Carlisle
Malkovich won best actor for the role at the Venice Festival in October. His character spends nights recording memoirs into a Dictaphone, listening to Hank Williams, and taking morphine. Steve Buscemi plays MJ, an irascible bureau chief in Santiago who worries Carlisle will betray the agency.
The narrative draws on recurring McDonagh themes of guilt and stunted morality. The characters navigate rugged landscapes populated by wild horses and towering monoliths. Malkovich’s character casually recounts past assignments in Guatemala and the Congo while leaning into a life of carefree confession.
Cinematic Parallels to in Bruges and Seven Psychopaths
The dynamic between the two agents echoes McDonagh’s previous work, particularly the partner-in-crime structure of In Bruges. Carlisle also expresses a fond regard for the IRA from his time in Belfast. A dinner scene featuring an English couple recalls the American tourists sequence in McDonagh’s 2007 debut feature.
Tom Waits makes a cameo appearance in the film. The production utilizes John Ford-style framing reminiscent of The Banshees of Inisherin. Non-sequiturs and plot tangents shape the journey as the characters bide their time in a battered coupe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Horse Nine
When does Wild Horse Nine open in cinemas?
The movie arrives in cinemas on Wednesday, the 4th of November, rte.ie reported.
Which actors play the lead CIA agents?
John Malkovich plays Chris Carlisle and Sam Rockwell plays Lee Chesterfield.
Where is the film set?
The story moves from Santiago, Chile, to Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean, alongside references to past operations in Guatemala, the Congo, and Belfast.