Daniel Minahan’s adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel “On Swift Horses” was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. Now, Sony Pictures Classics has shared the first official trailer for On Swift Horses, a cinematic love story that unfolds with beautiful uncertainty.
The trailer begins with Lee (Will Poulter) returning from the Korean War. War vet, decides to make a new life for himself and his wife, Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones), in California. Their plans take an unexpected turn when Lee’s charismatic younger brother a wayward gambler with a secret past, Julius (Jacob Elordi), arrives, hoping they can all build a life together in San Diego. However, Julius heads to Las Vegas instead, starting a secret romance with Henry (Diego Calva). Muriel embarks on her own secret journey, betting on racehorses and beginning an affair with her neighbour, Sandra (Sasha Calle).
Despite the physical distance between them, the trailer sees Muriel and Julius staying in touch even as he gets involved in an illicit queer affair with Henry whom he meets at a Las Vegas casino. “This is the one thing we can do out there in the world, right in front of them,” Henry tells Julius. “We want something, we’ve got to take it.”
We simultaneously see Muriel embarking on an exploration of her own sexuality unbeknownst to her husband. She meets a charming blonde woman at the races, and their chemistry seems to grow with each interaction. “You’re new at this, aren’t you?”, she asks Muriel. “It’s all luck. We’re all just a hair’s breadth from losing everything.”
An innocent celebratory peck, and a subtle touch at a bar sets Muriel up for the relationship she goes on to share with Sandra. Under the fireplace’s glow at Sandra’s home, Muriel tells her, “You’re really not afraid of being alone.” To this, Sandra responds, “Neither are you,” before they kiss passionately.
On Swift Horses certainly appears to be the “kind of sweeping romantic drama that Hollywood doesn’t make anymore,” as one critic says. However, it contains multiple LGBT+ storylines, suggesting it will be infused with a modern sensibility.
About On Swift Horses
Synopsis: Muriel and her husband Lee are beginning a bright new life in California when he returns from the Korean War. But their newfound stability is upended by the arrival of Lee’s charismatic brother, Julius, a wayward gambler with a secret past.
Genre: Drama
Director: Daniel Minahan
Writers: Bryce Kass . Shannon Pufahl
Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones . Jacob Elordi . Will Poulter
Rated: Rated R for sexual content, nudity and some language
Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes
Release Date: 25th April
