A campy creature feature starring scream king Justin Long sounded to good to be true, but Coyotes was determined to prove itself worthy of an instant cult-classic status anyway. Set in the Hollywood Hills amongst a ferocious storm, courtesy of the Santa Anna winds, a wild pack of feral coyotes lets loose on the unsuspecting residents. These animals looks much better than the CGI-dogs of A Breed Apart; they feel dangerous and freaky. The bonds of family at the center help make the obvious body count fodder more palatable—we actually care about the central trio, despite their differences. Overflowing with bloody violence, biting humor, and a stylish flair, Coyotes sinks its teeth into horror/comedy greatness.
Perfectly cast as a vapid influencer too busy with selfies to pay attention to her dog, Katharine McNamara becomes the first victim of the hungry coyote pack. Her death plays deliciously silly, immediately setting the tone for what will follow. From there, we shift focus to a family in serious need of an exterminator. The patriarch, Scott (Justin Long), is more obsessed with work than devoting time to his home life; protective mother Liv (Kate Bosworth) shows genuine concern for the future of their family well before the coyotes arrive; angsty daughter Chloe (Mila Harris) tries to escape the lameness of their hangouts but seems in need of some real guidance. Others thrown into the mix are sleazy neighbor, Trip (Norbert Leo Butz), his prostitute, Julie (Brittany Allen), and Tony (Kevin Glynn), a friend of Scott’s who happens to come by with tools when the storm spins wildly out of control.
The unique script from Nick Simon (Untitled Horror Movie) and Tad Daggerhart (Expend4bles) unearths every angle of the situation, leaning into the isolation of being set in the Hollywood Hills. As someone who once stayed in an Airbnb up on the snaky stretch of road, it definitely comes across as a perfect setting for ideal carnage to unfold. As the storm knocks out power, downed trees and mounting fire risks set the stage for chaos. Coyotes begin picking off neighbors one by one, and the action quickly escalates as the body count rises. The kills are graphic and memorable, emphasizing thrilling suspense and chases over quick nothings.
Director Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters) embraces grindhouse energy with campy flourishes—split-screen sequences, gnarly practical gore, and cheeky character card-style introductions abound. Coyotes delights in the absurd deaths while balancing its survival-horror core thanks to the fiercely protective nature of the parents. Justin Long grounds the madness with a nuanced performance, while Kate Bosworth shows off her feisty side as she wages war against the coyotes. Allen’s Julie nearly steals the show, blazing through coyotes with a machine gun. If all else fails, there will always be fun to mowing down ferocious monsters anyway.
Coyotes may be unapologetically silly, but it still encapsulates what works so well about a potent horror/comedy mashup. The midnight-movie energy holds just enough heart to keep its family drama from feeling hollow. Still, the best way to experience the charms may be on the big screen with a ravenous crowd. The entertaining energy of Coyotes ensures it will still be remembered for years to come.
Coyotes may prowl your neighborhood next when it comes to theaters nationwide on October 3rd; the worldwide premiere howled at 2025’s Fantastic Fest.
