Wild Horse Nine review: Is John Malkovich at the center of a meta puzzle?

Wild Horse Nine is a comedy with a macabre sense of humor that Martin McDonagh, a British-Irish playwright-turned-filmmaker, has infused into his work. The film's plot echoes McDonagh's earlier feature film In Bruges and its premise is reminiscent of a meta puzzle. The story follows CIA agents Chris and Lee who are sent on a mission to destabilize a democratically elected leader in Chile.

However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they visit Easter Island and become entangled with wild horses and several significant events. John Malkovich plays the role of Chris, a brazen and insensitive character who is deeply cynical due to his extensive knowledge. Sam Rockwell plays Lee, who is deeply cynical as well but is drawn to the wild horses and a young coed he encounters.

The film's cinematography, performances, and dialogue are all noteworthy, with Ben Davis' cinematography providing gorgeous visuals of the untamed Easter Island landscape. The actors, including Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey, and Tom Waits, all deliver strong performances. The film's exploration of history repeating itself and the anti-hero's reflection on his life through the film's meta connections adds depth to the story.