Coyote seems downright benevolent compared to the creatures in Coyotes. This horror-comedy from Grave Encounters director Colin Minahan, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Fantastic Fest, shows us a pack of the titular animals unleashing a people-eating orgy. They're menacing, the characters are funny, and the combination of the two results in a film that makes you laugh and boo with glee at the unhinged carnage.
A wildfire has swept through the Hollywood Hills, trapping comic book artist Scott (Justin Long), his wife Liv (Kate Bosworth), and their daughter Chloe (Mila Harris). The fires seem to have driven a pack of coyotes out of the woods and closer to the houses. Equally trapped are their playboy neighbor Trip (Norbert Leo Butz) and Julie (Brittany Allen), the sex worker he's hired for the night. At first, no one realizes the danger they're in. Everything quickly becomes clear, and the gang has to figure out how to force the beasts to retreat.
Director: Colin Minihan
Writers: Tad Daggerhart, Daniel Meersand, Nick Simon
Stars: Mila Harris, Brittany Allen, Kate Bosworth
Much of the humor in Coyotes comes from the actors' naiveté. None are physically or psychologically prepared to fight the hairy tormentors, and the idea of becoming coyote food provokes an extreme sense of panic. Long is a master at portraying out-of-character characters. His way of speaking and knack for physical comedy are used to great effect. He makes Scott's fear both funny and justified. Butz and Allen also provide laughs: the former plays Trip as a hilariously sleazy guy, and the latter excels at Julie's dimwitted mentality.
The money scenes are the coyote attacks. Humans are bitten, mangled, and torn apart. Minahan designs them to hit that sweet spot of gore, but also exaggerated enough to make you laugh at their blood. The characters' inept nature plays a role in this. They often make the worst decisions possible, so, oddly enough, they deserve what happens to them. The woman who tries to blow one up with her gas grill and instead it explodes is a clear example.
The visual effects used to make the animals' faces as terrifying as possible are very convincing. Unlike the rabid dogs in the similar "A Breed Apart" from earlier this year, these aren't third-rate CGI creations. They look terrifying. This quality is especially important during the grand finale, where Scott comes face-to-face with them protected by the most absurd "armor" imaginable. The blend of comedy and horror is perfect.
The coyotes will appeal greatly to fans of Anaconda, Lake Placid, and Cocaine Bear. The film has no grand meaning; it's simply meant to be a fun and outrageous animal attack adventure. Minahan pulls it off. It's a fun time (pun intended).
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