Les Indomptés

On Swift Horses is a slow-burning, atmospheric drama about love, secrets, and self-discovery. The film's strength lies in its strong performances and beautiful cinematography, which capture the quiet intensity of the characters' emotions. While the pacing is deliberate and may feel too slow for some, the emotional depth and subtle storytelling make it worthwhile. It's a thoughtful film that lingers after the credits, exploring themes of longing and identity with sensitivity.

Synopsis: Muriel and her husband Lee are beginning a bright new life in California when he returns from the Korean War. But their newfound stability is upended by the arrival of Lee's charismatic brother, Julius, a wayward gambler with a secret past. A dangerous love triangle quickly forms. When Julius takes off in search of the young card cheat he's fallen for, Muriel's longing for something more propels her into a secret life of her own, gambling on racehorses and exploring a love she never dreamed possible.

Muriel (Daisy Edgar Jones) and her husband Lee (Will Poulter) are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee's brother Julius (Jacob Elordi). Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible.

I think the film is trying to say that none of us know what we want, until we lose what we don't want, and find what we do. But I could be wrong because this tedious film doesn't actually seem to have a point.

It's nicely filmed, but so slow I was getting quite frustrated at things not happening, and when they did they made no sense. I honestly think it is nothing more than a titillating film with men on men sex, women on women sex and plenty of boobs, camel toe and men in white underpants.

There's no real flow at all and no real storyline; it's empty and boring. Will Poulter is great but apart from him there's not much decent acting going on. It was laborious to get through to the end so I give it a 4 and that's being incredibly generous.

Ever heard the phrase "life's not meant to be managed, it's meant to be lived". I guess this movie shows it's a little bit more complicated sometimes, for some. It's a dance between managing and living. On the one hand everyone's trying to manage what others know about them and on the other hand taking great risks. Living on the edge. One character says that there's always the risk of losing it all. Nevertheless, some brave souls are willing to risk it all. For a chance at love, freedom, pleasure, connection, truth. A chance to be honestly seen and loved.

Is this a great movie? That depends. There are great things about it for sure. The actors for one. The stories told. Fascinating stories of hidden lives, and of secrets. Now exposed to us. Beautiful cinematography! Some shots literally made me want to freeze the frame, take it all in, and then after a long pause, push play.

This romantic drama, set in the 1950s, after the Korean War, is the story of people who pursue both the American dream and their passions, and experience the burning and destructive aspects of both. The three characters that form the backbone of the story are played by three very talented young actors; Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi and Will Poulter. It is an exciting, sexy and tragic film. The plot is a bit messy, some sub-plots are reduntant (e.g. Muriel & Sandra or Muriel & Gail), and I felt that the relationships between the characters were sometimes built up too hastily (especially Muriel & Julius). It could have been a more organized, more focused and deeper film, but it is still a very fluent and enjoyable one to watch. 7/10.

My wife and I watched On Swift Horses (2024) in theaters. The story follows two individuals entangled in complicated relationships-with others and with themselves. As they navigate a journey of self-discovery, they begin to realize that their shared sexual fluidity may be what ultimately draws them together.

Directed by Daniel Minahan (Deadwood: The Movie), the film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Jacob Elordi (Euphoria), Will Poulter (We're the Millers), and Diego Calva (Babylon).

This is a well-crafted period piece that captures the era beautifully, especially in its portrayal of societal expectations and norms. The acting is top-tier-each actor is well-cast and fits their role convincingly. The premise has real potential, and the film thoughtfully explores the internal struggles and evolving identities of its characters.

That said, the love story didn't resonate as strongly as I'd hoped. Some of the chemistry feels authentic, while other relationships fall flat and lack the depth they seem to be reaching for. By the end, the film leaves you wanting more-emotionally and narratively.

In conclusion, On Swift Horses is a smart and well-executed film that doesn't quite hit its full potential. I'd give it a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.