The Movie Twist in On Swift Horses That Will Melt Your Heart (Not in the Book!)

Warning: This discussion may contain spoilers for the book “On Swift Horses“. If you haven’t read it yet and wish to avoid spoilers, consider reading it first. The movie adaptation of this book is currently showing in cinemas under its 2025 release schedule.

In the climactic scenes of “On Swift Horses”, the two realms significantly influenced by Julius, portrayed by Jacob Elordi, intersect. This occurs when Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Henry (Diego Calva), the individuals with whom Julius had the deepest connections, encounter each other at the same hotel. After a touching dance, they exchange cryptic messages expressing their unrequited affection for this shared love interest, culminating in a poignant circular resolution. Curious about its significance, I probed the director, who explained why it’s an essential scene in the movie despite not being in the source material.

The movie “On Swift Horses” is an adaption from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, taking place in the 1950s. It follows the lives of two soulmates, Muriel and Julius (the brother of Muriel’s husband), who both delve into the realm of gambling and betting. Along their journeys, they each discover and express their unique sexual identities – Muriel with Sandra, and Julius with Henry. In an unexpected turn at the end of the movie, after it appears that Julius has departed, both Muriel and Henry appear in search of him, ultimately sharing a dance without recognizing their shared bond.

During my chat with director Daniel Minahan, he mentioned that the crucial scene you see wasn’t part of the original source; instead, it was thoughtfully created by screenwriter Bryce Kass.

In the book, that particular scene doesn’t exist. Instead, it was crafted by screenwriter Bryce Kass. When he pitched his idea to me, it went something like this: “What if they happen to meet in a bar, both searching for Julius, but they don’t recognize each other?” At that moment, I was struck by the sheer magic of movies – it felt so romantic and seemed to bring everything full circle.

Read More About Daisy Edgar-Jones

Daisy Edgar-Jones confirms that she’s collaborated with most of the popular internet crushes: Andrew Garfield, Paul Mescal, and Glen Powell. (Her statement is indeed accurate.)

It feels as though he’s correct, because this situation seems reminiscent of scenes straight out of romantic films, where unexpected and enchanting moments occur, causing our hearts to skip a beat or two. In other words, it’s like the kind of magical coincidence often seen on the big screen, which is commonly referred to as “movie magic.

Watching these two grow emotionally close to each other, unaware they both sought the same individual, was deeply touching. Later, reading the messages they each wrote for Julius on the board only intensified the emotions, highlighting just how intertwined and poignant the seemingly disconnected storylines in this film truly were.

In relation to this, Daisy Edgar-Jones, who has experience with book adaptations, shared with me that this movie addition is something she holds dear. It significantly connects the characters for the viewers without them being fully aware of it. To quote her words:

I also adore this situation because… They are deeply connected due to a significant person named Julius who has impacted their lives profoundly, although they aren’t aware of it. It’s fascinating how people can enter your life and alter its trajectory in ways you may not even realize at the time. For these two individuals, that transformative figure was Julius, making their unexpected connections all the more endearing, despite them not fully grasping the shared bond they share.

You can grab a discounted copy of the book, “On Swift Horses,” available on Amazon at a 7% reduction. Check it out now!

Previously during the conversation, Diego Calva referred to this instance as “quite promising.” Although Julius was absent at that time, the sight of Henry and Muriel coming together brought a ray of hope amidst a somber moment. Later on, when Elordi’s character finally appeared to discover their shared notes, it added even more emotional depth to the scene.

For me, I truly appreciate when an adaptation creatively reinterprets its underlying source in a manner that offers a novel perspective while still preserving the core concepts of the original narrative. In the case of “On Swift Horses,” this approach resonated profoundly with me, and it significantly enhanced the emotional impact of the final scene.

To understand this change in context, you might consider reading “Swift Horses” by an author (since it’s a book), available on Amazon. This novel could potentially be among the top films for Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones, currently playing in cinemas.

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2025-04-29 19:20

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