Wild Horse Nine review: is Malkovich's best role in years?

Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, a 2026 awards contender, lives up to the attention. It's a sharply written, screenplay-driven drama anchored by what I consider one of John Malkovich's best performances, and I think it's one of McDonagh's best movies. The cast includes John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Parker Posey and Steve Buscemi, and I came out of the theater convinced the hype is warranted.

What Wild Horse Nine is about

Malkovich plays an aging CIA agent, and Rockwell plays his partner. The film hints at the agent's past, and some of the big events he might have been involved in become a major point in the story. He talks too much and is very outspoken, and there are other things going on too. He and Rockwell's character get away for a while as he tries to work some things out, while craziness ensues around them.

The Malkovich and Rockwell dynamic is the whole movie

The dialogue is what works, because it feels real even inside these situations. That's especially true once you see what Malkovich's character has done in his career, and how this man is now facing his own mortality. The outrageous things he says land, and so does his dynamic with Steve Buscemi.

But the dynamic between Rockwell and Malkovich is the entire movie. It's about these two men and where they've been, in something almost like a father and son, or older brother and younger brother, type of relationship. Rockwell's character has things going on with his wife, but he's trying to help his buddy, knowing some things are beyond their control.

John Malkovich gives one of his best performances

There are subtle things Malkovich does with his eyes. In some conversations his character is thinking, and you can almost hear those thoughts through his eyes. I think this is one of his best performances. He makes you understand this character, diving deep into what the man has been through, the conditions he's facing now and how he feels.

Sam Rockwell, Parker Posey and the supporting cast

I think Rockwell is going to be overshadowed because of how great Malkovich is, but he's another one who should be recognized. He's solid in this movie.

Parker Posey has only a few scenes but shines in them. Even the smaller performances stand out, including two other women the pair meet along the way, who I thought were great.

My verdict on Wild Horse Nine

With strong performances and solid music, Wild Horse Nine is a movie I recommend highly. I think Malkovich will definitely get nominated, and I would not be surprised if he wins for this one.