#TIFF26: “WILD HORSE NINE” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

The year is 1973 and CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Oscar-winner Sam Rockwell) have been dispatched to Easter Island in the weeks leading up to the Chilean coup d’état.

That is the basic set-up for Oscar-winner Martin McDonagh’s latest picture (his fourth in a row at TIFF, which includes People’s Choice Award winner Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) before it devolves into his trademark brand of bleak, profane humour and deep introspection on the part of an emotionally broken main character looking back on the mistakes of their past. In this case, that character is Malkovich who gives a career best performance, really dialing into McDonagh’s exquisitely written, profanity laced dialogue. He moves with precision through the film’s many tonal pivots, and is just as devastating as he is hysterical – often in the same breath. His work here is deservedly receiving high praise, and somehow might be even better than you have heard.

Rockwell delivers another superb supporting turn in his third team-up with McDonagh, playing off Malkovich brilliantly and nabbing himself some of the best lines along the way. Steve Buscemi is great as the bumbling duo’s handler MJ and Mariana di Girolamo practically sizzles as a young woman catching Chris’ attention.

While I loved the vibes of WILD HORSE NINE (not to mention the look and feel), I do think it could have used a bit of finessing in the back half once McDonagh really starts playing gleefully in the 1970s era paranoia sandbox. It is not that it becomes bad or overly complicated – rather it feels like some of the intricacies of the plot get away from him more often than they should. One recurring gag does lead to some funny moments, yet also feels misplaced and juvenile given the maturity of the film around it. But for how gorgeous, hilarious and emotionally resonant WILD HORSE NINE is, I feel like these are some qualms you should not have any trouble looking past.

WILD HORSE NINE screens at TIFF ’26:

Mon. Sept 14 at 3:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Tues. Sept 15 at 9:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre

Sat. Sept 19 at 9:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sun. Sept 20 at 10:15 AM at Scotiabank Theatre

Sun. Sept 20 at 10:15 AM at Scotiabank Theatre