‘Wild Horse Nine’ Review: John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell Are a Perfectly Paired Double Act in Martin McDonagh’s Melancholy Seventies Caper

In Martin McDonagh's latest film, "Wild Horse Nine," John Malkovich delivers a glorious performance as an aging spy writing his memoirs. However, the film itself is described as dull and disappointing compared to McDonagh's previous work, such as "In Bruges" and "Burn After Reading." The story follows two CIA agents, Lee and Chris, who are sent to Chile just before the 1973 coup that plunged the nation into fascism and horror.

Lee and Chris don't engage in traditional spying, but rather work to put bad guys in power. The film's setting on Easter Island is used as a backdrop for Chris's redemption and McDonagh's witty humor, but it often comes across as condescending and does not allow the island's beauty to exist for itself. The film's main strength lies in Malkovich's portrayal of Chris, who is flawed but deeply proud of his mistakes.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film fails to match this level of quality, with predictable jokes and a lack of depth in character development. The film's political commentary on American meddling in international politics is also shallow, with the sins of the characters being used merely as a justification for their melancholy.