John Malkovich earns early Oscar buzz for Wild Horse Nine at Venice

At a press conference on the Lido on September 3, 2026, a journalist told John Malkovich he could likely begin drafting his Oscar acceptance speech, calling the award something he deserved after such a long and prestigious career. The 72-year-old actor responded by adroitly demurring, stating that he does not feel in competition with his collaborators and that the most important outcome is that the film itself receives attention.

While industry prognosticators, according to Deadline, frame the moment as a comeback — noting that the actor has not held the same profile of roles in the past 20 years — Malkovich views his vocation as a continuous line. He told reporters he has no plans to retire, though he acknowledged a pragmatic reality:

"I don’t plan to retire because I think they will retire me when it’s time. That seems to be the natural course of things."

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John Malkovich, actor, via Aol

The catalyst for this renewed attention is Wild Horse Nine, a dark comedy written and directed by Martin McDonagh. Set on Easter Island just before the 1973 Chilean coup, the film follows CIA agents Chris (Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell), who are dispatched from Santiago by their bureau chief, MJ (Steve Buscemi). As the partners navigate present conspiracies and their own dark pasts, Chris forms a bond with two rebellious students, Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas, which threatens to destabilize the mission.

McDonagh, who previously saw The Banshees of Inisherin earn nine Oscar nominations in 2023, told the Venice audience that his fascination with the fate of the Chilean government under Salvador Allende inspired the script. He noted a desire to question the activities of the CIA, stating, We know what the KGB are like, but we we probably don’t question the CIA’s activities as much as we ought to, via Deadline.

For Malkovich, the work serves as more than just a career milestone. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, as reported by the Express Tribune, he described work as the best companion, the best therapy, the greatest joy.

Despite his long history, nearly five decades and 150 credits, Malkovich has only been nominated for an Oscar twice, both times in the Best Supporting Actor category. These nominations occurred in 1985 for Places in the Heart and 1994 for In the Line of Fire.

He now enters a crowded field for Best Actor. According to Deadline, his primary competition for the season includes:

• Matt Damon
• Tom Cruise
• Robert Pattinson
• Andrew Scott
• Sebastian Stan
• Javier Bardem

While the industry focuses on his professional resurgence, other outlets have highlighted the personal history that has trailed the actor. The Daily Mail recalled Malkovich's September 2025 admission regarding an affair with Michelle Pfeiffer during the filming of Dangerous Liaisons in 1988. Malkovich stated that the relationship cost him more than he expected as his marriage to the late Glenne Headly unraveled, noting that when a professional bond becomes more than a friendship, you lose a great colleague.

The production of Wild Horse Nine was a logistical rarity; director McDonagh and producer Graham Broadbent told the press it was only the second film ever to be shot on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The cast, which also includes Tom Waits and Parker Posey, described the location as a privilege.

The film is currently competing for the Golden Lion at the festival. Searchlight has scheduled the movie for a limited release in the US and UK on November 6, 2026.

Directorial Pedigree and Production Constraints

The early momentum for the film is supported by Martin McDonagh's established track record with the Academy. According to Deadline, McDonagh has already secured seven Oscar nominations and one win, including the nine nominations for The Banshees of Inisherin in 2023. This history, combined with the film's status as only the second production ever to shoot on Rapa Nui, provides a prestige framework for Malkovich's performance.

The actor's shift from supporting roles to a lead contender comes after a period where, as Deadline reports, he had not maintained the same profile of roles for 20 years. This transition is central to the "comeback" narrative currently being discussed by industry prognosticators on the Lido.

The next step is the limited release in the US and UK on November 6, 2026, which will determine if the festival's enthusiasm translates into sustained momentum for the Best Actor category.