John Malkovich, the seasoned actor known for his distinctive presence on stage and screen, is reflecting on aging and his latest film role as he nears his eighth decade. Speaking during a Zoom interview from a hotel near his Boston home, Malkovich shared candid thoughts on mortality, career longevity, and his new project, “Wild Horse Nine,” which is set for theatrical release on November 6.
At 72, Malkovich occupies a rarefied place in the entertainment industry with a career spanning over 100 film and television roles, in addition to acclaimed stage performances. The actor acknowledged the ever-present reality of death at this stage of life, noting the loss of family members, including his father and three siblings, all of whom died in their 50s. Despite this, he approaches the topic with a blend of dry humor and philosophical resignation. “Death is very much always present at my age — time really waits for no one,” he said, adding that dwelling on it offers little benefit.
“Wild Horse Nine,” written and directed by Martin McDonagh, marks a significant turn for Malkovich, who portrays Chris, a veteran CIA operative. Set against the backdrop of Chile in 1973, during the tense months before the military coup that deposed President Salvador Allende, the film traces Chris’s journey from Santiago to Easter Island alongside his agency colleague Lee, played by Sam Rockwell. Gravely ill and grappling with fading memory, Chris confronts the moral weight of a life spent in covert operations.
Malkovich described his character as morally ambiguous yet unexpectedly endearing, embodying a man reckoning with regret in his final days. “I think I have emotional similarities to Chris. To reflect on what you’ve done and what you haven’t done is a natural phase when you near the end of your life,” he said, while drawing a clear line between himself and the character’s darker traits.
Director Martin McDonagh praised Malkovich’s nuanced performance, particularly his ability to convey quiet introspection. “John’s depth really comes through,” McDonagh said, emphasizing that the actor’s maturity enriched the role beyond surface-level portrayal. McDonagh also recounted initial apprehensions about working with Malkovich, noting that the actor’s reputation for intense, often angry roles did not align with the generous and thoughtful collaborator he found.
Malkovich’s career has long been marked by a fascination with complex, often enigmatic characters, particularly within the realm of intelligence work. Yet he acknowledges that age has transformed his approach, lending authenticity to roles that require a sense of vulnerability and weariness.
Beyond “Wild Horse Nine,” Malkovich remains actively engaged in diverse projects across multiple continents. Earlier this year, he completed filming the second season of the Apple TV+ comedy “Bad Monkey” and has been touring with classical music performances that blend spoken word and orchestral accompaniment. He is currently shooting the Amazon crime series “Bishop” in Montreal and plans to direct a stage adaptation of Natsuo Kirino’s novel “Real World” in Tokyo.
Despite losses—including a substantial setback caused by the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme in 2008—Malkovich remains committed to his craft, viewing work as vital to his well-being. “Work to me has been the best companion, the best therapy, the greatest joy,” he said. Though he has received multiple awards and two Academy Award nominations, the actor downplays accolades and the public spotlight, focusing instead on the creative process.
Reflecting on his enduring presence in the entertainment industry, Malkovich voiced no intention of slowing down or “growing up,” embracing instead the contradictions and absurdities of life that have long informed both his work and his worldview.