Andrew Garfield is making headlines once again, but this time it’s not just for his acting chops or upcoming films. Instead, it’s for the hilarious horse at the center of his new movie We Live in Time, which has gone viral on social media. The film, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), features Garfield alongside Florence Pugh, and it seems the bright yellow carousel horse from their promotional images has stolen the spotlight.
When the first images of We Live in Time surfaced online last month, many fans couldn’t help but notice the peculiar expression of the carousel horse featured prominently alongside the two stars. With its odd, almost manic face, the horse quickly became the subject of memes and lighthearted jokes across social media platforms. Garfield, when questioned about this unexpected surge of attention to the horse on the red carpet, responded with his trademark humor.
“I haven’t heard from him since our shoot day,” Garfield told Etalk, laughing as he prayed the horse would make an appearance at the premiere. He quipped, “Without him, we really are nothing,” highlighting just how much the horse has come to symbolize the film, even overshadowing its main characters.
The pandemonium began around mid-August when audiences were treated to stills showcasing the chemistry between Garfield and Pugh during their date scene on the carousel, which was intended to evoke warm, romantic feelings. Instead, viewers found themselves distracted by the horse's peculiar facial expression, which looked like it was caught between joy and excruciated discomfort, prompting discussions and edits overlaying quotes like “How your email finds me.”
This absurd character of the horse even led to articles exploring its newfound fame, one titled “Everything We Know About That Goofy Carousel Horse From We Live in Time.” Creative fans took to Photoshop, pairing the horse’s bewildered expression with classic paintings of horses, adding comedic captions and wildly transforming the horse's essence through the lens of internet humor.
Garfield recognized the joy and the unintended marketing power the horse has brought to We Live in Time. “No one would be aware of this film if it wasn’t for this f**ing horse,” he joked on the TIFF red carpet. His candid remarks not only amused fans but also underscored the lighter side of film promotion, especially considering the movie’s serious themes involving illness and the struggles of maintaining relationships.
Directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Payne, We Live in Time is about the complex decade-long relationship between Garrett’s character Tobias and Pugh’s Almut as they navigate the rough waters of love, sickness, and the joys and sorrows of raising children together. Garfield’s own personal tragedies lend depth to the film; he lost his mother to cancer years ago, which adds emotional weight to the story they are telling.
The stylized emotional narrative aims to evoke heartfelt connections, making the memes surrounding the horse even more ironic. For Garfield and Pugh, being involved with such serious content juxtaposed against the comedic icon of the horse creates intriguing dynamics surrounding their film's promotion.
The film is expected to resonate with audiences not only because of its touching narrative but also due to the unexpected addition of internet humor through the horse meme phenomenon. Garfield’s playful engagement with the meme shows his lighthearted approach amid the pressing themes the film tackles. The lighter side of being part of celebrity culture can sometimes offer relief, and he seems to embrace it here.
With We Live in Time set to hit theaters on October 11, 2024, the playful banter surrounding the horse is likely to continue. This lighthearted meme phenomenon might just help pave the way for audiences to engage with Garfield's and Pugh’s more serious performances, creating avenues for discussions about the themes the movie covers.
After the premiere at TIFF, We Live in Time* will screen during the BFI London Film Festival before its general release on January 1, 2025. Fans can look forward to experiencing not just the narrative crafted by Crowley and Payne but also celebrating the joy of meme culture and how it unexpectedly ties back to heartfelt cinema.
