‘Wild Horse Nine’ Gets Rapturous 14-Minute Standing Ovation At Venice World Premiere
News Source
•Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:54:56 +0000
📰 What Happened
Martin McDonagh's film 'Wild Horse Nine' premiered at the Venice Film Festival and earned a rapturous ovation lasting almost 15 minutes. The audience in the Sala Grande clapped long after the lights came up. The director attended with stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey.
The film is McDonagh's first feature in four years. It is set just before the 1973 Chilean coup, with Malkovich and Rockwell as CIA agents sent from Santiago to Easter Island.
🔍 The Backstory
Martin McDonagh is an acclaimed writer and director known for films like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin. He is also a Venice regular, where his films often premiere to big reactions.
'Wild Horse Nine' is set on Easter Island in 1973, as two CIA partners wrestle with dark pasts and conspiracies. Critics praised it at press screenings, and stars like Phoebe Waller-Bridge helped lead the applause at the premiere.
🎯 Why It Matters
A 15-minute ovation puts 'Wild Horse Nine' at the front of the awards race. Venice premieres often predict what will win at the Oscars, so this is a big early sign.
Martin McDonagh's film 'Wild Horse Nine' premiered at the Venice Film Festival and earned a rapturous ovation lasting almost 15 minutes. The audience in the Sala Grande clapped long after the lights came up. The director attended with stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey.
The film is McDonagh's first feature in four years. It is set just before the 1973 Chilean coup, with Malkovich and Rockwell as CIA agents sent from Santiago to Easter Island.
Martin McDonagh is an acclaimed writer and director known for films like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin. He is also a Venice regular, where his films often premiere to big reactions.
'Wild Horse Nine' is set on Easter Island in 1973, as two CIA partners wrestle with dark pasts and conspiracies. Critics praised it at press screenings, and stars like Phoebe Waller-Bridge helped lead the applause at the premiere.
A 15-minute ovation puts 'Wild Horse Nine' at the front of the awards race. Venice premieres often predict what will win at the Oscars, so this is a big early sign.