On Swift Horses (2024)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
Two interconnected stories of queer love unfold in 1950s America and Mexico.
The story
Set in 1950s America and Mexico, the film follows two interconnected stories of queer love. In Las Vegas, casino workers Julius and Henry fall in love while navigating the complexities of their relationship in a restrictive era. Simultaneously, in San Diego, Julius' sister-in-law Muriel finds herself torn between her husband Lee and her neighbor Sandra. As the two narratives unfold, the characters navigate the challenges of their identities and the risks of their desires in a world where their love must often remain hidden.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the 1950s, Julius Walker, a Korean War veteran, travels to Kansas to visit his brother Lee and Lee's wife Muriel. After they move to San Diego, Julius moves to Las Vegas where he works in casino surveillance and falls in love with a Mexican colleague named Henry. They begin a secret life together, but after Henry is caught cheating at a casino to defy their circumstances, Julius is fired and they are separated. Meanwhile, Muriel becomes a successful gambler in San Diego and begins a secret affair with her neighbor, Sandra. When Julius returns to San Diego seeking help to find Henry, Muriel is initially dismissive. Later, the two narratives converge at the Chester Hotel, where both characters are searching for their respective partners. Ultimately, Julius receives a note from Henry and embarks on a journey back to Las Vegas, while Muriel finds a sense of freedom in her own life.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 119
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Daniel Minahan
- Writers
- Bryce Kass · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Daisy Edgar-Jones · Muriel; Jacob Elordi · Julius; Will Poulter · Lee; Diego Calva · Henry; Sasha Calle · Sandra
- Themes
- queer love; identity; social conformity
- Tone and mood
- romantic; bittersweet; hopeful
- Premise and plot tags
- period drama; LGBTQ+; romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2019 novel of the same name by Shannon Pufahl
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 26
- Awards and nominations
- Imagen Award · Best Supporting Actress · win
- Production trivia
- The soundtrack includes a cover of the 1950s song 'Mr. Blue'.
Genres
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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