Malkovich stars in Easter Island thriller 'Wild Horse Nine'
Martin McDonagh's new film follows a dying CIA agent in 1973 Chile, blending political history with character drama.
By Martin Reynolds ·
John Malkovich delivers what critics call a career-best performance in "Wild Horse Nine," a new film from director Martin McDonagh. The movie is set on Easter Island, known locally as Rapa Nui, during the year 1973.
The plot centers on Chris, a CIA agent played by Malkovich, who is dying of terminal cancer. His fading memory drives him to ask his friend Lee, played by Sam Rockwell, to take him to see the moai, the ancient stone figures carved into the island's landscape. Chris views this trip as a final wish before his death.
Chris is not the only one on the island with a purpose. Monica, a young Chilean student activist played by Mariana di Girolamo, is present there as well. Chris befriends her, though she is initially wary. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of political tension. In Santiago, their boss MJ, played by Steve Buscemi, worries that Chris is writing a memoir. In that memoir, Chris plans to reveal details about the CIA's alleged involvement in the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The film weaves together personal relationships and historical events. McDonagh includes references to the CIA's role in the 1973 coup in Chile that ousted socialist President Salvador Allende. The narrative also touches on the subsequent military rule under Augusto Pinochet, which involved the imprisonment and execution of thousands of activists. Lee's estranged wife, Margie, played by Parker Posey, adds another layer of tension as she reports suspicious activity at their home.
McDonagh describes the film as a portrait of a dying assassin who confesses to his actions. The story explores themes of legacy, memory, and the value of life. Malkovich portrays Chris as a character who is both menacing and charming. He is a villain who owns his past mistakes but still seeks a moment of peace among the horses and the stone heads of the island.
The cast includes other notable actors who support the central performance. Rockwell plays the loyal companion, while Buscemi and Posey provide sharp dialogue. Di Girolamo represents the broader group of Chilean activists affected by the political upheaval. The cinematography, handled by Ben Davis, captures the lush greenery of the remote island.
"Wild Horse Nine" is rated R and contains pervasive language, some strong violence, drug use, and sexual references. The film is currently showing at several Boston theaters, including AMC Boston Common and the Alamo Drafthouse Seaport. Critics have given the film an A grade, noting its dark and melancholy tone.
