Mariana Di Girolamo Joins Martin McDonagh’s Dark Comedy Set on Easter Island

When writer-director Martin McDonagh visited Easter Island thirteen years ago, he was captivated by the moai, their mystery, beauty, and the history behind them. From that trip, he knew he wanted to film there one day, but it wasn’t until after his successes with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin that he found the perfect story to bring to this remote Chilean territory.

His new film, Wild Horse Nine, features a stellar ensemble cast including John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Parker Posey, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, Mariana Di Girolamo, Ailín Salas, and Paola Giannini. Set in the 1970s, just before the 1973 Chilean coup, the story follows CIA agents Chris and Lee (played by Malkovich and Rockwell) on a mission that will test their loyalty and bring them into contact with local students, portrayed by Di Girolamo and Salas. Posey plays Rockwell’s character’s wife, while Giannini rounds out the Chilean cast, bringing her acclaimed experience in national cinema and television.

John Malkovich delivers what many consider one of his most intense performances as Chris, a mentor reflecting on his past. “It’s a very funny script, albeit mordant. Life is full of regrets; even if you can bear them, and even if you find them funny, that doesn’t change that, generally, life ends badly,” Malkovich said.

McDonagh describes the film as a reflection on guilt, sins, and looking back on life, noting that although it is set in the 1970s, many of its themes resonate today. For the director, Rapa Nui was the perfect filming location: “It’s one of the most remote places on Earth… and that makes it a great place to shoot,” he told Vanity Fair. The production was supported by Fábula and guided by the local community to ensure cultural authenticity, while the national park itself remains largely unchanged since the late 19th century.

Behind the camera, the film boasts top-tier talent: Denis Schnegg as production designer, Ben Davis as director of photography, Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh on costume design, Oscar-winning editor Mikkel Nielsen, Emma Scott in hair and makeup, and Oscar-winning sound mixer John Casali. The project is produced by Searchlight Pictures, Blueprint Pictures, and Film4, with Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, and Anita Overland as producers.

Wild Horse Nine is set to be released by Searchlight Pictures on November 6, in time for awards season, with guaranteed distribution in Chile, though a local release date has yet to be confirmed. The film promises to blend dark comedy, historical intrigue, and deep reflections on life, set against the stunning and unique backdrop of Easter Island.