On Swift Horses Review: A Charming Melodrama Featuring a Captivating Cast

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our coverage for TIFF 2025. On Swift Horses will be released in theaters on April 25.

      It's been a while since we've seen such an incredibly appealing lineup of promising young actors like those featured in Daniel Minahan’s On Swift Horses. Daisy Edgar-Jones, the exceptionally talented actress from Twisters and Normal People, plays Muriel, a young woman in 1950s Kansas. Her soon-to-be husband, Lee, is portrayed by Will Poulter, who has excelled in roles ranging from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to Kathryn Bigelow’s overlooked Detroit. Returning from Korea—and making his introduction to Muriel while shirtless and lounging on a car—is Lee’s brother, Julius. Yes, indeed: the carefree Julius is played by Jacob Elordi. And we haven't even touched on the characters played by Diego Calva from Babylon and Sasha Calle, known as the standout of The Flash.

      It's somehow appropriate that the film featuring this ensemble is a melodramatic slice of the '50s, ultimately focusing on same-sex desire at a time when such feelings were perilous. Adapted by Bryce Klass from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, On Swift Horses is skillfully brought to life by Minahan, who is mainly recognized as a television director (Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Game of Thrones). At times, the tangled plotlines of Horses feel more suited for a series format.

      When Julius arrives at Muriel and Lee’s home, the trio devises a plan to leave the cold Kansas for the sunny ideal (at least on paper) of San Diego. This decision unfolds over the course of one evening, and as the group celebrates, it becomes apparent that something is brewing between Muriel and Julius. Is there chemistry? Or is it more that neither Muriel nor Julius truly understands their desires? Interestingly, the story separates the group. Muriel and Lee embark on their new life in California, while Julius engages in tricks, cheats at cards, and ultimately lands a casino job catching others in the act. It is in this setting that Julius meets Henry (Calva), a man who is just as charming as he is and equally eager to embrace danger.

      There are various moments in the film that seem likely to teeter into camp; while there are some genuinely funny scenes in On Swift Horses, there are just as many that elicit unintended laughter. These instances are more frequent towards the end, and in its final moments, On Swift Horses becomes quite chaotic. It culminates in a concluding shot that some may find absurdly silly. They wouldn’t be wrong. Yet, it somehow aligns with the tone of this peculiar, whimsically erratic film.

      For those unfamiliar with Pufahl’s novel, the storyline of On Swift Horses holds many genuine surprises—most of which center around Muriel. Daisy Edgar-Jones embodies her character with the perfect blend of Eisenhower-era monotony and concealed sexual longing. Her journey involves gambling, deception, and ultimately the realization that she might be searching for a life starkly different from the one she has with Lee. Elordi is adequate in a role that walks a fine line between lethargic and sultry, while Poulter manages a rather simplistic character; Diego Calva and Sasha Calle, who plays an intriguing neighbor that connects with Muriel, perform better.

      Minahan and Klass grapple with balancing the film’s numerous characters and varying plots, yet they have succeeded in creating a film filled with captivating individuals. They also highlight a period in the not-so-distant past when the discovery of homosexuality could lead to lethal consequences. One of the most poignant scenes in On Swift Horses showcases a slow pan over photographs of missing men and women who dared to pursue love. Moments later, of course, comes that final shot. However, with such a talented cast and a narrative that remains engaging—even amid its more ludicrous moments—these flaws are easily overlooked. Minahan has directed a fascinating, charmingly unconventional film that serves as a reminder that for individuals like Muriel and Julius, the 1950s were not exactly glamorous.

      On Swift Horses debuted at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.