Oscar-winning playwright and filmmaker Martin McDonagh is heading to the Lido with his latest dark comedy thriller “Wild Horse Nine“. The highly anticipated feature has been officially selected to compete in the main competition for the prestigious Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, running from September 2-12, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
“Wild Horse Nine“
Set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, “Wild Horse Nine” follows two Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers, Chris (John Malkovich) and his protégé Lee (Sam Rockwell), who are dispatched from Santiago to the remote terrain of Easter Island by their bureau chief, MJ (Steve Buscemi). What begins as a routine assignment quickly unravels among the island’s iconic moai statues. As the longtime partners grapple with past traumas and emerging conspiracies, Chris forms an unexpected bond with a pair of rebellious local students, threatening to send their assignment into freefall.
Blending McDonagh’s signature sharp dialogue, moral ambiguity, and biting humor, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast. Alongside Malkovich, Rockwell, and Buscemi, the cast features Tom Waits, Parker Posey, Mariana di Girolamo, and Ailín Salas.
“Wild Horse Nine” marks a major reunion between McDonagh and several of his primary creative partners, including producers Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin of Blueprint Pictures, as well as Film4 and Searchlight Pictures. The production team also features regular musical collaborator Carter Burwell, cinematographer Ben Davis, and editor Mikkel E. G. Nielsen. Searchlight Pictures is scheduled to give the film a prime awards-season theatrical release on November 6, 2026.
At Venice, “Wild Horse Nine” joins an exceptionally competitive lineup. McDonagh will vie for top honors alongside fellow acclaimed directors, competing against entries such as Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard”, Florian Zeller’s “Bunker”, Casey Affleck’s “Company”, Ali Asgari’s “Kami nour”, Andrea Pallaoro’s “The Echo Chamber”, and Danny Boyle’s “Ink”.
Rapa Nui
Principal photography for “Wild Horse Nine” began in March 2025 on Rapa Nui, an island and special territory of Chile. In April 2025, it continued in different parts of the country including Conchali and Santiago.
Settled by Polynesian navigators around the 13th century, Rapa Nui became home to a vibrant civilization that created the iconic moai. These monumental stone sculptures, carved from soft volcanic ash at the Rano Raraku quarry, represent revered ancestral leaders. Resting on ceremonial platforms known as ahu, nearly 900 moai stand across the landscape as powerful symbols of spiritual protection (mana) and artistic ingenuity.
Beyond its stone giants, Rapa Nui features a rich heritage encompassing unique historical traditions, such as the Tangata Manu (Birdman) cult, and modern celebrations like the annual Tapati Rapa Nui festival. Today, the island balances eco-tourism with sustainable conservation. Its indigenous community actively preserves their language, lands, and Polynesian roots, ensuring the living spirit of the island thrives for generations to come.
Also known as Easter Island, Rapa Nui is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. Formed by three extinct volcanoes, this 63-square-mile triangle of land is world-renowned for its extraordinary cultural legacy and breathtaking, windswept terrain.
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