Jacob Elordi Explores Hidden Desires In Must-See Gay Romance “On Swift Horses”
What would you risk for love? On Swift Horses, the latest from director Daniel Minahan, dives deep into that very question. Known for his work on Fellow Travelers, Minahan sets the stage for a compelling tale that explores identity, desire, and repression in a time when the LGBTQIA+ community lived in the shadows.
This time, the buzz surrounds Jacob Elordi, the Euphoria heartthrob, stepping into a role that’s already turning heads. But as the first trailer reveals, he’s not the only one heating things up in this sultry adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s novel. Every character seems to be caught in their own whirlwind of passion.
A Love Story That Breaks The Rules
Set in post-Korean War America, On Swift Horses tells the story of Julius (Elordi), a drifting veteran trying to find his place. Hitchhiking to California, he lands at his brother Lee’s (Will Poulter) home, where he meets Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Lee’s soon-to-be wife. Instantly, there’s a charge between Julius and Muriel that feels impossible to ignore. Is it attraction? Or something more unspoken that neither can put into words?
Before they can figure it out, Lee announces big plans. The couple is heading to San Diego to start a new life together, leaving Julius behind. With nothing tying him down, Julius heads to Las Vegas, chasing work, luck, and a man he can’t seem to forget.
Two Lives Intertwined By Secrets
The film splits into two narratives. In San Diego, we follow Muriel as she struggles with her role as Lee’s wife. Her life is filled with horse races, lonely moments, and a surprising bond with a charming neighbour, played by Sasha Calle (In The Summers). Through her letters to Julius, she shares her doubts, fears, and longings for something more.
Meanwhile, Julius’ story in Las Vegas takes a darker turn. After landing a job spotting cheaters in a casino, he starts down a risky path, entering the world of sex work. Along the way, he grows close to a charismatic coworker, Henry (Diego Calva), and the two begin a deeply passionate and secret romance. Together, they live under the radar, sharing motel rooms and even hustling the tables.
A Bold Portrayal Of Queer Passion In Cinema
On Swift Horses doesn’t shy away from intimacy. Its love scenes are raw, authentic, and unapologetically tender. Vanity Fair’s David Canfield praised the film for its “rich, emotional, and explicit” portrayal of Julius and Henry’s connection, a chemistry that leaps off the screen. It’s the kind of representation that people have been waiting for, and everyone in the film seems to be part of the story’s sensuality.
The film has made waves, from its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to a surprise screening at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, it continues to build momentum ahead of its U.S. release on April 25. Before that, it’s set to play at SXSW in Austin, Texas, next month.
