As 2026 winds down, the cinematic landscape is crowded with heavy hitters. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and the sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary are already generating awards chatter, but Searchlight Pictures has quietly been sitting on a gem that's about to gallop into theaters. Wild Horse Nine, the latest from writer-director Martin McDonagh, has been making waves since its Venice Film Festival premiere, where it earned a 13-minute standing ovation. Now, with its wide release imminent, the reviews are in—and they're spectacular.
The film boasts a 94% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from 136 reviews, tying it with The Odyssey as one of the year's most acclaimed releases. That's no small feat for a darkly comedic spy thriller, a genre that often struggles to balance tension and humor. But McDonagh, known for his razor-sharp dialogue and offbeat sensibilities, seems to have struck gold once again.
What's the Buzz About?
Set on Easter Island in 1973, Wild Horse Nine follows CIA agents Lee Chesterfield (Sam Rockwell) and Chris Carlisle (John Malkovich), who are sent to the remote locale by their handler MJ (Steve Buscemi) to lay low. But their past as meddlers in foreign affairs comes back to haunt them when they get entangled with two rebellious students, jeopardizing their entire operation. It's a premise ripe for McDonagh's signature blend of melancholy and wit, and critics are eating it up.
Collider's Aidan Kelley gave it a glowing 9/10, singling out the chemistry between Rockwell and Malkovich, and calling Malkovich's performance his "finest since Burn After Reading." That's high praise for an actor with a career as storied as his. Screen Rant's George Bate, while slightly less enthusiastic with a 7/10, still praised the film for showcasing McDonagh's trademarks: "a melancholic portrait of loss, witty and mildly objectionable humor, and a picturesque backdrop to soak it all in."
Malkovich's Magic Touch
For Variety's Guy Lodge, Malkovich's presence breathes new life into themes McDonagh has explored before. "Malkovich—in his first collaboration with the writer-director—gives McDonagh's pithy, tangy dialogue just the sad, soulful eccentricity that it needs to live off the page," Lodge wrote. It's a testament to how a great actor can elevate already sharp material.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Parker Posey and Tom Waits rounding out the ensemble alongside Rockwell, Malkovich, and Buscemi. With such a stacked lineup, it's no wonder the film is being pegged as a potential Oscar contender, especially for Best Original Screenplay—a category McDonagh has been nominated for before with The Banshees of Inisherin and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Why This Score Matters
A 94% Rotten Tomatoes score is rare, especially for a thriller. It places Wild Horse Nine alongside the best of the year, and for fans of the genre, it's a must-watch. If you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, check out our list of spy thrillers that define the genre or dive into thrillers that grab you instantly. For those who appreciate a slower burn, our roundup of underrated thriller gems might be right up your alley.
Wild Horse Nine rides into theaters on November 6. If the reviews are any indication, it's a ride worth taking.
