Martin McDonagh’s ‘Wild Horse Nine’ Emerges as a Major Oscar Contender, with John Malkovich in the Spotlight

Without resorting to hyperbole, “Wild Horse Nine” stands out as the most compelling world premiere of the fall festival season, carrying the unmistakable momentum of a Best Picture contender. This is hardly a speculative take, given that director Martin McDonagh’s previous two features both secured nominations in the top category, with each ultimately positioned as a dark horse for the ultimate prize.

The buzz surrounding the film is further fueled by reports of standing ovations during the press screening, even before the official premiere. Starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as CIA agents operating in 1973 Chile, the film follows a high-stakes mission to Easter Island. The anticipation was so palpable that the first question at the film’s Venice press conference directly asked Malkovich how it feels to be an early favorite for the Oscar next year.

Malkovich, a two-time nominee, responded with characteristic humility. “I’ve had a long career and I’ve had really spectacular collaborations with directors, writers, and actors. So I never feel in competition with any of them because generally I love what they do. For me, the most meaningful aspect is that the film gets attention, and that it features several terrific performers, beautifully written and beautifully directed. That is what matters the most to me. But thank you for your kindness,” he shared.

In a crowded Best Actor field packed with major stars like Ryan Gosling, Matt Damon, and Tom Cruise—none of whom have yet secured an acting Oscar—Malkovich remains a uniquely powerful contender. Having never won an Academy Award, and with his last nomination dating back over thirty years—prior to his iconic role in “Being John Malkovich”—he brings a rare, seasoned gravitas to the race.

Whether McDonagh earns his second Best Director nomination remains to be seen. Out of his seven previous Oscar nominations, only one was for directing. In a year dominated by grand epics and international features, securing a spot in that highly competitive category will be a challenge.

However, the odds are much higher for McDonagh to finally take home the trophy for Best Original Screenplay. The acclaimed Irish playwright and filmmaker has already earned three nominations in this category for “In Bruges,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Notably, the latter two lost to “Get Out” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” reflecting a Academy trend of favoring darkly comedic, socially sharp dramas like “Anora,” “Parasite,” and “Promising Young Woman.” With “Wild Horse Nine” delivering precisely that blend of dark humor and dramatic depth, it faces minimal direct competition in the original category.

Malkovich emphasized the importance of the script during the press conference when asked about his preparation for the role. “Scripts like this don’t come along very often, if ever. And so everything I think we needed to know and study was in those hundred or so pages. The script analysis is really everything. As you get older, it’s really about the script. It’s all there. It’s really all there,” Rockwell added.

Meanwhile, Rockwell is poised to make a strong push for Best Supporting Actor, despite the film’s focus on two leads. Similar to the dynamic in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” where both co-leads Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoughan received nominations, the Academy has a history of recognizing ensemble-heavy performances. Steve Buscemi delivers a delightful turn as Malkovich and Rockwell’s CIA boss, though he may not have the same awards momentum as the top two.

The film also possesses compelling options in the Best Supporting Actress category, featuring the young Chilean women with whom Malkovich’s character forms a bond, played by newcomers Mariana Di Girólamo and Ailín Salas, as well as Parker Posey, who reunites with her “The White Lotus” co-star Rockwell in a voice role. While each of these performers might have benefited from an additional scene to fully cement their presence on the awards radar, McDonagh’s films have a consistent history of overperforming in the acting categories on nomination morning.

Beyond the acting races, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin” both received nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Original Score, making Mikkel E.G. Nielsen and Carter Burwell key names to watch in their respective categories. However, a particularly glowing endorsement at the Venice press conference went to cinematographer Ben Davis, who had the rare opportunity to capture the second film ever shot on location on Easter Island. The film features stunning, creative compositions of the UNESCO World Heritage site and its iconic moai statues.

Beyond its technical brilliance and entertainment value, the film’s topical relevance adds another layer of appeal. McDonagh noted that while the story is set in 1973, it inevitably carries a commentary on modern geopolitics. “When I wrote the film and when we made it, it was to talk about 1973. It does seem to have a bit of a commentary on the present day and geopolitics,” he observed.

He elaborated, “It wasn’t necessarily deliberate, but I guess a lot of these things just naturally come in when you’re open to this subject matter. So I think it’s going to be fascinating to see how an audience takes it, to take something that’s seemingly a historical piece, but has tentacles and connections to what’s going on today. I think it’s going to be fascinating to see how it’s received.”

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