Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine' Opens With Malkovich and Rockwell

Director Martin McDonagh's new dark comedy Wild Horse Nine, starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell alongside Steve Buscemi, Mariana Di Girolamo, and Parker Posey, opens in theaters on Friday, November 6, 2026, generating early awards-season attention, according to a Wednesday, November 4, 2026 interview by ABC7 News entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo.

Set in 1973 as Chile stands on the brink of a political transition, the film follows 2 longtime Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives, Chris and Lee—played by Rockwell and Malkovich—whose assignment sends them more than 2,000 miles into the Pacific Ocean to remote Easter Island.

McDonagh on Directing Malkovich and Rockwell

Speaking with Garguilo ahead of the theatrical release, McDonagh reflected on pairing Malkovich and Rockwell at the center of the ensemble drama.

"You're kinda naturally nervous, especially working with a god like John Malkovich," McDonagh said. "But I do feel like you'll see something in John and Sam, the best acting you'll see all year."

Rockwell, who has collaborated closely with McDonagh on stage and screen, highlighted the sharp dialogue written for the characters on Easter Island. Asked by Garguilo about the freedom of playing an unfiltered character, Rockwell noted: "Well, Martin always has a truth sayer."

Co-star Parker Posey, who joins Buscemi and Chilean actress Mariana Di Girolamo in the supporting cast, summed up the ensemble location shoot simply: "This was fun."