On Swift Horses Ending Explained: What choice does Julius make?

On Swift Horses, directed by Daniel Minahan, is a drama set in 1954. It follows Muriel Nichols (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her husband Lee Hayes (Will Poulter) as they plan a new life in California after the Korean War. Their stability is disrupted by Lee’s brother, Julius (Jacob Elordi), a charismatic gambler whose arrival sparks a web of secrets and forbidden love.

Muriel discovers gambling on racehorses, while Julius pursues a hidden romance. The film, adapted from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, explores identity, societal norms, and desire in the repressive 1950s, featuring Diego Calva and Sasha Calle. On Swift Horses released in U.S. theaters on April 25, 2025, the ending leaves Julius heartbroken

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Did Muriel and Julius Kiss?

The film On Swift Horses hints at a romantic connection between Muriel and Julius from their first meeting in Kansas, where they share a card game and discuss gambling. This sparks speculation about a kiss later in the story. When Julius visits Muriel and Lee’s California home, their bond deepens through moments like holding hands, suggesting emotional closeness. A nighttime kiss scene is shown, but its context—Muriel’s longing for Julius and her disappointment when he leaves—implies it may be imagined.

Julius’s focus is on Henry, his lover, and he avoids physical intimacy with Muriel to protect Lee. His departure after taking Lee’s savings, not Muriel’s hidden gambling money, supports this. The kiss likely reflects Muriel’s unfulfilled emotional attachment rather than a real event, as Julius’s actions prioritize his queer identity and loyalty to his brother over any romantic entanglement with Muriel.

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Gambling’s Role in Julius and Henry’s Romance

Gambling is central to Julius and Henry’s relationship in On Swift Horses. They meet at a Las Vegas casino, where both work spotting card cheats, a job requiring sharp observation. Their shared world of poker and risk mirrors their queer romance in the 1950s, a time when same-sex relationships faced legal and social persecution. Henry’s bold move to pursue Julius parallels his risky plan to rob the casino, reflecting a belief that queer men must seize what they desire.

Julius finds stability with Henry, but their gambling habits lead to a violent incident, forcing them apart. The film links gambling to their suppressed identities, as taking chances at the tables becomes a way to express forbidden desires. This connection is reinforced by Julius and Muriel’s early card game, suggesting gambling as a metaphor for the risks of living authentically in a restrictive era.

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Outcomes for Lee, Sandra, and Julius’s Choice

After discovering Muriel’s affair with Sandra, Lee shares a story about past infidelity, revealing his heartbreak but choosing not to confront her directly. Muriel leaves him, leaving her gambling winnings to support his dream of a traditional life, and moves to Kansas. Sandra ends her relationship with Muriel, recognizing Muriel’s uncertainty about embracing her queer identity and unwillingness to leave Lee permanently. Sandra seeks a more committed bond, unavailable in their secret affair.

At the end of On Swift Horses, Muriel, and Henry meet at the Chester Hotel, a queer safe space, and leave notes for Julius with a meeting location. Julius, finding Lee’s home empty, rides off on horseback after reading the notes. His likely choice is to reunite with Henry, as his actions throughout prioritize their romance, suggesting he seeks a life with Henry despite societal barriers, while Muriel faces potential heartbreak waiting in Kansas.

Watch On Swift Horses in cinemas or buy it on Fandango At Home and Apple TV. You may rent it on Amazon Video as well.

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