With an all-star cast of Jacob Elordi, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Diego Calva, Will Poulter and Sasha Calle, On Swift Horses provides a cinematic look at the tale of two individuals who have a intrisical connection. The two are bonded by what they cannot express and that reservation to be who they truly is what results in the joys, heartbreaks and love affairs of their lives.
Murial (Daisy Edgar Jones) and Lee (Will Poulter) are trying to create a new life after Lee’s service in the Korean War, Lee’s brother Julius (Jacob Elordi) is also trying to make a new life. The three plan to move to San Fransisco together but Julius seems to simply not be able to live the life that Murial and Lee plan to live together. Julius ends up meeting Henry (Diego Calva) in Las Vegas where their mutual interest in gambling connects them but ultimately might lead to their downfall. Murial and Lee live an idealistic life but, with financial burdens, Murial looks to find new ways to make money and that journey brings her to places that change her perspective on herself, her life and her relationship to both Lee and Julius
The film retains the feeling that it was written as a novel which results in some good build up but also some unbalanced pacing, especially in the first half of the film. There are solid performances from Daisy Edgar Jones and Jacob Elordi but most of their emotions come from longing expression and interior sadness which is fitting but also puts most of the emotional weight on the creative filmmaking choices. There are certainly some strong ones. There is good contrast between the mundane life that Murial and Lee seem to live and the excitement that Julius and Henry encounter in the lighting. But, as a whole film, there is rarely new energy put into how these subtle scenes are presented leaving the audience to grip onto every detail spoken by the characters but leaves each scene less vibrant and exciting.
On Swift Horses is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
