We all know that coyotes roamed the mountains and canyons overlooking Los Angeles long before the Hollywood Hills existed. Instead of fleeing with the arrival of humans as homes were built and communities grew, they adapted to the changing environment decades ago, with sightings becoming even more common in recent years. Written by Tad Daggerhart and Nick Simon from a story by Daniel Meersand, the horror comedy Coyotes takes the ongoing coexistence between people and coyotes in the area and turns reality into a satirical survival thriller and over-the-top animal attack movie that is equal parts funny and intense.
Directed by Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters, What Keeps You Alive), Coyotes stars real-life couple Justin Long (Barbarian, Goosebumps) and Kate Bosworth (21, Superman Returns), along with Mila Harris (No Exit), Norbert Leo Butz (A Complete Unknown), Minihan’s wife and creative partner Brittany Allen (What Keeps You Alive), Kevin Glynn (Crazy Love), and Katherine McNamara (Walker: Independence). The movie takes place in the Hollywood Hills and follows a handful of characters who find themselves in a battle against a furious and vicious pack of coyotes (that are far from the usually timid and wary animals in real life), along with a raging fire that spreads through the neighborhood.
At the center of the story is Scott Stewart (Long), his wife Liv (Bosworth), and their teenage daughter, Chloe (Harris). The familial throughline of the film is the somewhat fractured relationship of the Stewarts, as Scott has become so engrossed in his work as a comic book artist that he neglects spending more time with his family. His relationship with his daughter has become estranged to the point where Chloe has demoted him to first-name status. Of course, Scott will have to learn what’s most important in life when dealing with a windstorm and a power outage that escalates into facing off with highly intelligent, bloodthirsty coyotes who have a bone to pick with this household.
Thanks to a windstorm, a tree has crushed their car, and with the power out, dead cellphone batteries, and unable to connect with emergency services, the Stewarts and a couple of nearby neighbors have no choice but to wait things out. There are some humorous moments as the family is forced to spend time together due to being trapped in their home, with only games and Scott awkwardly attempting to make light of the situation by having a “campout” with a bunch of Spam to keep them company. Meanwhile, their neighbor Trip (Butz) and his “lady of the night” (as Scott and Liv call her) soon find themselves surrounded by coyotes once they break into Trip’s house. Coyotes establishes its tonal mesh of ruthless, bloody violence and borderline silly humor from the beginning, but the film really kicks up a notch here when the oddly behaving creatures intensify their violent attacks on our group, resulting in genuinely amusing and brutal sequences. The situation soon worsens as a fire starts, and another clock for survival begins to tick.
Everyone is great in the film, but the best dynamic is between Long and Allen. The two mismatched characters are a hilarious dream duo when they find themselves trapped together and trying to survive the ferocious animals, as Scott desperately tries to get back to his house and family after being separated from them. The chemistry between Long and Allen is undeniable as they play off each other’s comedic talents and timing, with Allen (who also scored the film) leading the way as arguably the best character of the film. She elevates the comedic beats of Coyotes and also helps maintain the movie’s energy. Allen has proven her range as an actress who can truly do anything, from Minihan’s far more serious psychological horror thriller What Keeps You Alive, to her brief guest appearance on The Boys, to joining the universe of Dexter as Laura Moser in Dexter: Original Sin, and now as the scene-stealer in Coyotes.
Outside of the brief moments of heartwarming family love and reconnection, Coyotes is an intentionally absurd horror comedy that occasionally falters, particularly in its CGI. However, it manages to be an entertaining film, thriving in its simplicity and enjoyable performances. Between the pack of coyotes’ ultimate goal and the Stewarts, the movie is all about family.
Coyotes had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest and opened in select theaters on October 3.
