On Swift Horses is based on Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, directed by Daniel Minahan. The film also stars Diego Calva, Will Poulter and Sasha Calle. The story highlights love, mystery and the unseen challenges of a new journey.
On Swift Horses: The Tale of an Unexpected Journey
After a blockbuster premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, On Swift Horses has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Directed by Daniel Minahan and based on Shannon Pufahl‘s acclaimed 2019 novel, the film will be released in the US on April 25, 2025. This is not just a story of a journey, but of love, passion and fate, where new secrets are revealed at every turn.
👉 Watch the new trailer for the highly anticipated film On Swift Horses below!
On Swift Horses: When the past and the future collide
Set in the 1950s, On Swift Horses is a thrilling journey that unravels new dreams and hidden secrets. Will Poulter stars as Lee, a Korean War veteran who wants to start a new life in California with his wife Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones). But their plans take a turn when Lee’s brother Julius (Jacob Elordi), also a veterinarian, decides to move west with them. As the journey progresses, Lee and Muriel begin to discover their own hidden truths, and their lives are thrown into a strange gamble that seems impossible to escape.
On Swift Horses: Magic, Pain, and a Ride-A-Way
After its screening at TIFF, IndieWire described On Swift Horses as a deep and emotional spectacle. Their review read, “It’s a beautiful tale of almost-romance, capturing those fleeting moments of magic that are swept away by the waves of time.”
The beauty of Daniel Minahan’s direction is that the film has no traditional villain. Each character—whether it’s Lee, whose existence stands in the way of Julius and Muriel’s truth—strives to become a better person in their own way. But in a world where fate seems intent on tearing everyone apart, the journey is filled with emotional ups and downs.
On Swift Horses: Paul Newman’s inspiration and Elordi’s deep preparation
In an interview with Vanity Fair in the fall of 2024, Jacob Elordi shared the inspiration he drew from Paul Newman for his role in On Swift Horses. “I watched his films and tried to adopt his voice and mannerisms, especially in ‘Hud’. There was a deep sensitivity in his powerful acting, which I tried to bring to my character,” Elordi said.
In addition, he also discussed the intimate scenes he played with his co-star Diego Calva in the film. “Diego is a great collaborator. We prepared for a week in a motel room, and the director Dan gave us complete freedom to feel the love of our characters within those four walls and explore it naturally,” Elordi explained.
‘On Swift Horses’ to have US debut at SXSW
On Swift Horses will have its US premiere at the prestigious SXSW Festival, where it will close the festival on Thursday, March 13. The film is developed by director Daniel Minahan and producer Peter Spears, while Tim Headington’s production company Le Line Entertainment led the production. Later, Theresa Steele Page and screenwriter Bryce Cass also joined the team as producers.
Le Line and First Gen were responsible for financing the film in association with Wavelength, while Killer Films helmed the production. The executive producing team includes a number of heavyweights, including Alvaro Valente, Christine Vachon, Mason Plotts (Killer Films), Nate Kamiya, David Darby (Ley Line Entertainment), Randall Sandler, Claude Amadeo, Chris Triana (FirstGen), Jennifer Westphall, Joe Plummer (Wavelength), Lauren Shelton, Jeffrey Penman, Jacob Elordi, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Teddy Schwarzman and John Friedberg.
