Wild Horse Nine: A Flawed Look at CIA History
Martin McDonagh’s latest film prioritizes conspiracy theories over the reality of the Chilean coup.
1Setting the Historical Stage
The film opens in 1973 Santiago, shortly before the U.S.-backed military coup against President Salvador Allende. While the CIA orchestrates the overthrow, agents Chris and Lee retreat to Easter Island. This remote location serves as a backdrop for their philosophical debates while the political situation in mainland Chile rapidly deteriorates.
2Veteran Agents in Conflict
Chris and Lee are seasoned CIA operatives who have participated in numerous high-profile coups globally. John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell portray these characters with a dark, cynical humor born from years of working in the shadows. Despite their shared history, Chris begins to experience profound guilt regarding his past actions.
3The Weight of Regret
As Chris faces a terminal cancer diagnosis, he struggles with the morality of his career in covert operations. He questions whether his actions, including the destabilization of foreign governments, can ever be redeemed. His partner Lee remains more detached, though neither man finds true peace on the isolated Easter Island.
4Distancing from Real Violence
Unlike McDonagh’s earlier work, In Bruges, this film remains detached from the immediate consequences of its protagonists' actions. By spending minimal time in mainland Chile, the narrative avoids depicting the brutal reality of General Augusto Pinochet’s rise to power, opting instead for abstract discussions about regret and human connection.
5Overlooked Historical Context
The film largely ignores the documented role of U.S. officials like Henry Kissinger in Allende’s downfall. While the U.S. government spent years funding propaganda and impeding the Chilean administration, these specific historical details are omitted. This choice leaves the audience with a vague understanding of the actual political tragedy involved.
6Economic and Political Sabotage
The United States implemented an invisible blockade against Chile, severely restricting trade and financial aid to undermine Allende’s economic agenda. Nixon administration officials openly acknowledged these anti-democratic efforts to prevent a socialist government. The film, however, fails to engage with these concrete mechanisms of power and the resulting mass suffering.
7The Kennedy Conspiracy Distraction
A significant portion of the film shifts focus toward the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The narrative suggests Chris played a central role in this event, which becomes a more prominent plot point than the Chilean coup. This focus dilutes the film’s moral clarity regarding the CIA’s institutional failures.
8Interactions with Local Idealists
Chris engages with two leftist students, Monica and Alicia, offering a cynical perspective on the effectiveness of protest. These scenes highlight the generational divide between the agents' dark past and the students' hope. Monica’s presence forces Chris to confront the reality of the life he helped destroy through his work.
9Critique of Moral Ambiguity
By centering on the Kennedy conspiracy, the film avoids a rigorous interrogation of the CIA’s role in global destabilization. The narrative treats the agency as a monolithic deep state entity rather than examining specific historical transgressions. This approach ultimately undermines the potential for a deeper, more meaningful exploration of institutional guilt.
10A Missed Historical Opportunity
While the performances of Malkovich and Rockwell are compelling, the film ultimately turns away from well-documented history. It prefers the comfort of conspiracy theories over a clear-eyed examination of the 1973 coup. The result is a visually striking but superficial meditation on guilt that fails to address its own premise.
Original article: Foreign Policy — Wild Horse Nine: A Flawed Look at CIA History