Coyotes stars Justin Long and Kate Bosworth as a couple doing battle with a pack of rabid dogs, in a comedy-horror that leans into laughs rather than scares.
Coyotes concerns a very real problem facing the people of Los Angeles, and over the opening credits, that phenomenon is explained via news reports.
Recent wildfires have forced coyotes closer to homes in Los Angeles, and now these adaptable animals are doing everything they can to find food and survive.
This sets the stage for director Colin Minihan’s latest horror film, which tackles an important topic with surprisingly lighthearted humor.
What is Coyotes about?
The movie opens with a brief scene of a celebrity-like woman attacked by one of the creatures. Then, the main story begins, introducing the Shepherd family – Scott and Liv (played by Justin Long and Kate Bosworth, who are married in real life), and their teenage daughter, Chloe (Mila Harris) – who live in the Hollywood Hills.
The couple appears content, but they’re dealing with a rat infestation in their lovely house. An unusual exterminator named Devon (Keir O’Donnell, reminiscent of John Goodman’s performance in *Arachnophobia*) brings this problem to light.
Just as Devon was finishing up getting rid of the mice and rats to discourage others from coming around, a bad storm hit, bringing down trees and causing a power outage.
Coyotes then emerge, initially appearing somewhat intimidating. They quickly become more aggressive, starting with growls and bared teeth, before actually attacking.
Liv, clearly shaken, tells Scott, “I think it wanted to eat you,” after a worrying encounter with a coyote. As more and more of the aggressive animals gather on their property and attempt to break into their home, it’s clear the family is in a desperate struggle to survive.
Wild animals vs wild characters
The story is clearly a playful exaggeration, portraying the people who fall for the scam as foolish and almost inviting trouble. It’s heavily implied they’re responsible for what happens to them.
Okay, so playing Coyotes, you meet *some* characters. Seriously, it’s wild! There’s this one neighbor who’s clearly way too energetic, a hilariously rowdy Irishman rocking a shell suit, and even a sex worker who’s totally into conspiracy theories. The game makes it pretty clear you’re not supposed to take any of them seriously – they’re just there for the laughs and to make the world feel a bit crazy.
Every extremely violent death is treated as a joke, whether it’s a sad barbecue accident or a surprising appearance of a ribcage. These deaths are memorable, but they’re more likely to make you laugh than frighten you.
The movie isn’t entirely serious, though, as Liv often clashes with Scott’s tendency to work all the time. Scott’s dedication to his comic book career-and his obsession with it-leads to some creative scenes, fun characters, and humor. However, it also puts a strain on his family and could potentially break them apart.
Whenever the show hints at a deeper connection, the writing team of Ted Daggerhart, Daniel Meersand, and Nick Simon quickly diffuses the moment, often with humor. A particularly funny example is when Scott shares his feelings with his wife, but she’s unable to hear him.
Is Coyotes good?
Coyotes is an enjoyable movie that delivers exactly what you’d expect: a chaotic clash between wild dogs and clueless people. Justin Long is charming as always, making you sympathize with his character even when he makes really bad choices.
However, many scenes suffer from a major problem: the coyotes don’t look convincing. At times, the movie feels like a strange mix of live-action and poor animation, and the excessive computer effects often distract from the story.
Despite a minor drawback, the film effectively blends horror and comedy. It also deserves credit for its unexpected and sympathetic portrayal of coyotes, offering a surprising twist at the end.
Coyotes score: 3/5
If you can overlook the less-than-perfect special effects, and enjoy silly, over-the-top humor and characters, *Coyotes* is a pretty good animal attack movie with a surprisingly important message about the environment.
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2025-09-21 01:28