'On Swift Horses' Rides into U.S. Theaters in April
Daisy Edgar-Jones as Muriel and Jacob Elordi as Julius in 'On Swift Horses'
Sony Pictures Classic
It may seem like most awards-bait films starring a high-profile British cast that debut at the various film festivals are instantly scooped up by studios eager for Acamdey Award attention, but that's not always true. Many get bogged down in negotiations with buyers or come away with tepid enough reviews to garner little interest. Some, like the period drama On Swift Horses, get left in limbo due to multiple factors; in this case, it's a perfect blend of controversial LGBTQ+ material, middling to poor reviews, and cast members recently in other snubbed films. However, Sony Pictures Classics eventually made a deal to distribute, with a 2025 release date set for April.
Based on the debut novel of the same name by Shannon Pufahl, On Swift Horses is a 1950s-set film that tells the story of a love triangle that develops when Lee, a Korean war veteran, his wife, Muriel, and his younger brother, Julius, move out to California together. However, this is not the usual case of a woman sleeping with two brothers — Julius is gay, for starters, and eager to get the heck out of the Golden State for the real wealth in Las Vegas. His defiance of the conservative 1950s-era social norms inspires Muriel to start her own secret rebellion, one that starts going off the rails when she discovers she also isn't nearly as straight as the world told her she was.
TIFF reviewers did not love the film; it barely rated on the Fresh side of the Tomatometer by the festival's conclusion. However, Sony is planning another high-profile release, screening the movie at SXSW in hopes of a friendlier reception ahead of the theatrical debut.
Will Poulter as Lee and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Muriel in 'On Swift Horses'
Sony Pictures Classics
Here's the film's synopsis:
On Swift Horses centers on Muriel, who, along with her husband Lee, is about to start a new life in California following the latter's return from the Korean War. Their hopes are quickly dashed upon the arrival of Lee's charming, wayward brother, Julius, who is eager to head to Las Vegas despite Lee's desire for them all to settle down in San Diego. After sparking a treacherous love triangle over shared repression, Julius runs off to pursue his secret romance with a gambling man he met at a casino. His decision spurs Muriel to seek something more and defy the conservative era and life she's in. She begins her own secret life of betting on racehorses, discovering an unexpected love upon meeting her neighbor, Sandra.
Jacob Elordi as Julius and Diego Calva as Henry in 'On Swift Horses'
Sony Pictures Classics
On Swift Horses stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) as Muriel, Will Poulter (Why Didn't They Ask Evans?) as Lee, and Jacob Elordi (Saltburn) as Julius. The supporting cast includes Diego Calva (The Night Manager) as Julius’ lover Henry, Sasha Calle (The Flash) as Muriel's neighbor Sandra, and Don Swayze (Deadwood) as Terence.
The film was directed by Daniel Minahan and scripted by Bryce Kass from the Shannon Pufahl novel. Minahan, Elordi, and Edgar-Jones are listed as executive producers, alongside Nate Kamiya, David Darby, Calude Amadeo, Randal Sandler, Chris Triana, Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Christine Vachon, Mason Plotts, Alvaro R. Valente, Bryce Kass, Lauren Shelton, Jeffrey Penman, Teddy Schwarzman, and John Friedberg. It’s produced by Peter Spears, Tim Headington, Mollye Asher, Theresa Steele Page, and Michael D’Alto.
On Swift Horses will arrive in U.S. theaters on Friday, April 25, 2025.
