McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine pairs Malkovich and Rockwell as CIA agents

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 20:00 · Archive

Martin McDonagh's new film Wild Horse Nine stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as two CIA agents, Chris and Lee, who are dispatched to Easter Island shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup. Malkovich's character, recently diagnosed with cancer, wrestles with his dark past role in CIA interventions. The film features the odd-couple dynamic and playful violence characteristic of McDonagh's earlier works.

At the film's UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, McDonagh praised Malkovich's performance as one of the best he has seen in years. 'It's worthy of three Oscars,' McDonagh said to the Press Association. 'It's funny. It's angry in places, but it's very sweet and sort of sorrowful in places too.' Malkovich, 72, has been nominated twice for best supporting actor academy awards but has not won. Rockwell, 57, won his first Oscar in McDonagh's 2017 film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Despite its 1970s setting, McDonagh said the film mirrors present-day political concerns. He described it as featuring subject matter that naturally lent itself to angry commentary, noting the politics and the film's themes reflect current events.

How it is being reported

• Martin McDonagh says John Malkovich deserves three Oscars for Wild Horse NineThe US actor stars opposite Sam Rockwell as two CIA officers, Chris and Lee, who shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, are dispatched from Santiago toEvening Standard · 9 Oct, 19:28
• ‘Old-timey fascism was kept secret. Now you don’t have to hide it’: Martin McDonagh, John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell on Wild Horse NineMcDonagh’s latest film has Malkovich and Rockwell shooting the breeze as CIA agents in 1973 on Easter Island. They discuss grandchildren, swimming with turtles and who shot JFK ‘Earmuffs!” says Sam Rockwell, pausing his gushing tribute mid-flow and turning to face John Malkovich on the couch. Rockwell loves Malkovich and has been discussing his work at some length. Malkovich, he says, is charismatic and dangerous, half masculine, half feminine; a unique combination and the perfect sparring partner. He’s one of the world’s finest actors and annoyingly modest to boot. “Earmuffs!” says Rockwell…The Guardian · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Martin McDonagh · John Malkovich · Sam Rockwell · Easter Island · Chile · BFI London Film Festival

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