Coyotes review: Justin Long stars in a very silly movie about when animals attack

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Coyotes is a comedy-horror film starring Justin Long and Kate Bosworth as a couple who find themselves fighting off a group of aggressive, rabid dogs. It’s more focused on being funny than frightening.

Coyotes are a genuine concern for residents of Los Angeles, and the beginning of the show addresses this issue through simulated news reports.

Recent wildfires have forced coyotes to move closer to homes in Los Angeles, and now these adaptable animals are doing everything they can to find food and survive.

This is where director Colin Minihan’s new horror film begins – tackling a serious issue with surprisingly lighthearted and absurd 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 Miller family – Scott and Liv (played by Justin Long and Kate Bosworth) 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 home. An unusual exterminator named Devon (Keir O’Donnell, who brings to mind John Goodman’s performance in *Arachnophobia*) helps them uncover the problem.

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. Their behavior quickly escalates to clear threats – they begin to growl, show their teeth, and ultimately attack.

Okay, so things got seriously scary! Liv actually said, “I think it wanted to *eat* you!” after this coyote started acting really weird around Scott. And it wasn’t just one coyote – more and more of them showed up, surrounding the house and even trying to get *inside*. It quickly became clear that we weren’t just dealing with some curious animals; we were in a real fight for our lives.

Wild animals vs wild characters

Honestly, the story is super over-the-top and funny. The characters who get into trouble are basically begging for it – they’re drawn as these really obvious, exaggerated types, and you can totally see what’s coming a mile away. It’s like the game *wants* you to laugh at how silly they’re being before things go wrong.

Coyotes features a cast of eccentric and over-the-top characters – from a drug-using neighbor and a boisterous man in a track suit to a sex worker fascinated by conspiracy theories – none of whom should be seen as realistic or credible.

Every extremely violent death is treated as a joke, from unfortunate barbecue accidents to surprising appearances of ribcages. While these deaths are memorable, they’re more likely to make you laugh than frighten you.

The movie isn’t entirely serious, though; Liv’s frustrations with Scott’s dedication to his job provide some lighthearted moments. Scott’s work as a comic book artist sparks creative visuals, introduces quirky characters, and leads to some funny scenes, but it also puts a strain on his family.

Whenever the show hints at a deeper connection between the characters, the writing team – Ted Daggerhart, Daniel Meersand, and Nick Simon – quickly diffuses the moment, often with humor. A particularly funny example is when Scott tries to have a heartfelt conversation 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: chaotic encounters between wild dogs and hapless humans. Justin Long is charming as always, and makes you care about his character, even when he makes questionable choices.

However, many scenes suffer from unrealistic-looking coyotes. The movie sometimes feels like a strange mix of live-action and poor animation, and the constant use of computer effects often distracts from the story.

Despite a minor flaw, the film successfully blends horror and comedy. It also earns praise for its respectful portrayal of coyotes, featuring a clever and unexpected twist.

Coyotes score: 3/5

Despite some questionable special effects, ‘Coyotes’ is a fun, over-the-top comedy about eccentric characters, and it also subtly highlights important environmental issues.

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2025-09-21 21:20