McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine' Steals Venice—Rockwell, Malkovich, and a 70s Easter Island Mystery

Martin McDonagh brought the heat to Venice with Wild Horse Nine, a character-driven ensemble that's got people talking before the festival even hits its stride. The cast reads like a character actor's dream roster: Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey all locked in together on Easter Island in the 1970s.

Setting a prestige drama against those giant Moai statues is the kind of bold, weird choice that feels very McDonagh—a director who's never played it safe with location or atmosphere. The rapturous reception at Venice's opening stretch suggests he's landed something that works, something that's got both the craft and the presence to move through awards season.

With a cast this stacked and a filmmaker this proven, Wild Horse Nine is already shaping up as a contender. McDonagh knows how to build narratives that feel lived-in and character-rich, and pairing that with this particular ensemble and setting? That's the kind of alchemy that gets people excited.

Read the full story at The Hollywood Reporter → https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/wild-horse-nine-venice-first-rapturous-reception-2026-1236689493/