“A romantic story is only as good as the things keeping the people apart”: Daniel Minahan on On Swift Horses

Love triangles seem a thing of the past, as Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter, Jacob Elordi, Diego Calva and Sasha Calle star in a love pentagon of sorts in Daniel Minahan’s adaptation of the eponymous Shannon Pufahl novel. Approximately a year after the feature premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, On Swift Horses finally sees its UK release, ready to captivate viewers with its heartfelt connections and compelling performances.

We asked the director about his penchant for depicting queer history, or perhaps more suitably put, viewing American history through a queer lens. The filmmaker shared that he primarily chooses his projects based on the writing and especially the writers. Further, he discussed the adaptation process of On Swift Horses and at which stage certain adjustments came about. Minahan also revealed how casting Elordi informed the portrayal of Julius as a more sympathetic character than he appears to be in the book, praising the actor’s emotional sensitivity.

Selina Sondermann

On Swift Horses is released nationwide on 5^th September 2025. Read our review here.

Watch the trailer for On Swift Horses here: