A capable survival horror film with a few bits of comedy elements mixed in. Although you won't get the same kind of creature/comedy/terror film such as Cocaine Bear, Coyotes has some admirable qualities that are worth giving this one a watch, especially if you're a fan of the genre. This will be available on Blu-ray 11/25.
“Trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, a family fights for survival when caught between a raging wildfire and a pack of savage coyotes. As the city loses power and chaos spreads, nature turns feral – and what starts as isolated attacks escalate into a terrifying siege they may not all survive.”
This film pairs real-life couple Justin Long and Kate Bosworth in a horror-comedy that blends survival thrills with the satirical wit that only Justin Long and provide. Set in the Hollywood Hills, Scott (Long), Liv (Bosworth) and their daughter Chloe (Mila Harris) find themselves trapped when a windstorm knocks out power. This is the least of their problems, as a pack of predatory coyotes, driven into human territory by some unknown reason, have viciously attacked neighbors and are closing in.
Coyotes balances the comedy and horror with surprising respect, keeping its tone grounded rather than turning into outright silliness, which gives it its own voice. Long and Bosworth have great chemistry and deliver strong performances, convincingly portraying a family in crisis. Bosworth, for her part, is especially effective when the film leans into its more serious survival elements. That said, viewers expecting the full-on comedic chaos of something like Cocaine Bear or Snakes on a Plane might be less impressed. Coyotes isn’t as broad in its comedy or as outrageous in its creature mayhem. The tone is more measured, more survival-thriller than over-the-top parody. While there are a few of these over-the-top moments, I feel that leaning a bit heavier into this type of genre would have been more effective than leaning the other way, to the survival horror.
One aspect of the production in particular that took me out of the film was the AI-Generated coyotes that were used. While the attacks themselves looked impressive, looking to be a combination of camera tricks and practical effects, the sequences of coyotes walking through fire, baring their teeth and snarling, were obviously generated by AI. AI has some incredible advantages, but it should not have a place in films.
Despite that shortcoming, there are a few memorable moments of the film. The survival story is engaging, the tension hits in key moments, and the family dynamic adds emotional stakes. The film doesn’t feel entirely like a miss, just mostly.
Video
The Blu-ray presentation offers a solid visual experience. The cinematography takes advantage of the Los Angeles hills setting, giving some good contrasts between day and nighttime scenes. The 1080p transfer is sharp, contrast is well maintained, and the darker sequences retain detail.
Audio
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track serves the film well. Dialogue is clear and prioritized, action sequences have weight, and ambient sound fills the surrounds in a way that enhances immersion, especially the howling sounds of the pack of coyotes right outside the home.
Special Features
There is only one extra on this disc, and no Digital Code is included.
- Meet the Pack: Behind the Scenes with the Makers
Coyotes is a respectable entry in the horror-comedy survival genre. Its tone is more subtle than some of the high-concept creature comedies out there, but that gives it a certain identity all its own. Justin Long and Kate Bosworth deliver commendable performances, and the premise of wild animals plus wildfire plus suburban isolation is compelling.
The biggest downside is the execution of the creatures themselves, the visuals don’t always support the terror that the script aspires to. For viewers seeking laughs, thrills, and a tighter spectacle, it won’t hit as hard as some other entries. But for those who want a survival scenario with heart, some humor, and capable acting, the Blu-ray release of Coyotes is worth a watch.