Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine' Premieres at 83rd Venice Film Festival
5 sources across 4 countries · Germany · Chile · Italy · Spain
Who reported this
- Sueddeutsche Zeitung
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- La Tercera
- ANSA
- El Pais
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Martin McDonagh's new film, Wild Horse Nine, premiered at the 83rd Venice Film Festival where it is competing for the Golden Lion. The film stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as two CIA agents traveling to Chile in 1973 during the months preceding the coup d'état against Salvador Allende. The plot involves the agents meeting two young Chilean left wing students, Monica and Alicia, played by Mariana Di Girolamo and Ailin Salas. The production was filmed in early 2025 in Santiago and Rapa Nui under Searchlight Pictures.
Critical reception has been largely positive, with several reports highlighting the chemistry between Malkovich and Rockwell. The film is described as a melancholy tragicomedy that blends dark humor with existential dilemmas. Mariana Di Girolamo received specific praise for her performance as Monica, with critics noting her authenticity and warmth. While most reviews were enthusiastic, some were more reserved. The Guardian stated it is not a classic of McDonagh's work, and IndieWire suggested the film was more sardonic than funny.
Other notable events at the festival include the opening film Ink by Danny Boyle, which focuses on the British tabloid The Sun and the acquisition by Rupert Murdoch. Werner Herzog also debuted a new film titled Bucking Fastard. George Clooney attended the festival to receive a lifetime achievement award.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Framed the film as a deeply sad, atomic experience and a melancholy tragicomedy.
- Centre
- Provided a neutral announcement of the film's presentation by its lead actors.
- Centre-right
- Focused on the positive critical reception, the specific performances of the actors, and the local production details in Chile.
Sources
- Centre ANSA: Venezia 83, John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell present Wild Horse Nine
- Centre-left El Pais: John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell thrill in Venice with the melancholy tragicomedy of the clown spies of 'Wild Horse Nine'
- Centre-right Frankfurter Allgemeine: Venice Film Festival: Your Neighbor Feels Sexually Harassed by You
- Centre-right La Tercera: "Mariana Di Girolamo offers a charming interpretation": critics praise film shot in Rapa Nui
- Centre-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung: Venice Film Festival: Like an atomic bomb of sadness
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