(Photo Credits: Sony Pictures Classics from Shutterstock)
Set in the conservative backdrop of 1950s California and Las Vegas, On Swift Horses brings queer relationships to the forefront of a beautifully restrained period drama. Directed by Daniel Minahan and adapted by Bryce Kass from Shannon Pufahl’s novel, the film stars Jacob Elordi, Diego Calva, Daisy Edgar‑Jones, Will Poulter, and Sasha Calle. On Swift Horses is a tender love story that blossomed between two men—a story boldly told amid the constraints of post‑war conformity.
The heart of the film lies in Julius Walker (Elordi), a Korean War veteran who drifts to Las Vegas only to meet and fall in love with Henry (Calva), a fellow casino worker. Their romance is depicted with raw intimacy, from hushed glances to their much talked about lovemaking, transforming a stifling silent world into one of emotional freedom. The Daily Beast praised Elordi and Calva’s scenes as “some of the best sex scenes of the year,” describing their motel room as “a separate world for the men to truly feel like themselves.”
Parallel to this romance, Muriel (Edgar‑Jones) is caught in her own emotional upheaval at home, navigating a new relationship with neighbor Sandra (Calle), amid her husband Lee’s (Poulter) post-war return. Though less overtly gay, Muriel’s storyline mirrors the central theme: the search for identity and authenticity.
On Swift Horses premiered at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2024 and opened widely in U.S. theaters on April 25, 2025, via Sony Pictures Classics. It is currently available for digital rent or purchase on Amazon Video and Fandango at Home, with a planned streaming release on Netflix in late summer 2025.
Known for his work on Prestige TV, Minahan brings a muted subtlety to his feature debut. According to The Daily Beast, critics note the film’s visual elegance, from dim casino frames to warm motel interiors, capturing a sense of constrained passion breaking free. Meanwhile, AP News critiqued the film’s symbolism as heavy-handed, although they did acknowledge the strength of Daisy Edgar‑Jones’s Muriel’s narrative.
On Swift Horses stands out as a rare mid-century queer narrative—portraying gay love not as hideous or tragic, but as transformative and real. The chemistry between Elordi and Calva is praised by John Paul King as “joyously queer‑affirming as they are steamy,” with tender, emotionally charged scenes anchoring the story in genuine affection . Watch the trailer below:
Happy viewing!
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