“Coyotes” follows a family who must fight for survival when a pack of coyotes swarms their Hollywood Hills home.
“Coyotes” opens with a scene that sets the tone immediately: foolish humor and coyotes. You know from the first few minutes whether you’re in for the ride. Director Colin Minihan leans into spectacle, using comic book-styled character introductions, split screen visuals, thunderstorms and giant fires to create an exaggerated, offbeat world. The movie continuously throws new stylistic tricks into the mix, and this commitment to its “comic book” aesthetic keeps the energy high.
You guessed it — the coyotes are the stars. Turning these animals into a creature feature requires menace, and “Coyotes” delivers. Each growl, snarl and bite lands with real threat, playing on the audience’s fear of running into them in the wild. The CGI brings them to life in surprisingly effective ways, blending scares with blood-soaked mayhem. The gore splatters freely, but the visual effects never look cheap or distract from the action.
“Coyotes” quickly unleashes an onslaught of characters, each with quirks that keep the story moving. Most exist to become prey, but the film makes even minor players entertaining. While these characters often lean into goofy antics, they also fight back, which gives the carnage some weight.
At the core of the chaos is the family of Scott (Justin Long), Liv (Kate Bosworth) and their daughter Chloe (Mila Harris). Long taps into a mix of reckless, comic and emotional notes, tying them together into a surprisingly cohesive character. Bosworth matches his energy with a number of memorable “badass” moments. Harris provides the emotional anchor, grounding the family dynamic and giving the finale extra impact. Brittany Allen also shines as Julie, while Keir O’Donnell makes Devon one of the film’s most memorable characters despite limited screen time. The supporting cast keeps the movie lively, injecting personality into what could have been throwaway roles.
Where “Coyotes” falters is in its attempts at emotional depth. The family dynamic leans heavily on clichés, and those quieter moments often feel forced. The film seems to know this, keeping such detours brief before returning to the real draw: the coyotes and the carnage. Still, the father-daughter relationship lingers enough to leave a small emotional imprint, even if it unfolds predictably.
As the story barrels toward its climax, “Coyotes” embraces full-blown chaos. Flames rise, blood flows and laughs come easy. The finale delivers in terms of carnage and spectacle, but the resolution itself plays things safe. Instead of going fully unhinged, the movie wraps up in generic fashion. While it teases a bigger world, this specific story feels like it leaves potential on the table.
“Coyotes” knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. It promises humor, violence and over-the-top animal attacks — and it sticks the landing in those respects. A well-rounded cast, impressive effects and a willingness to lean into absurdity help it stand apart from lesser creature features. The heart may not hit as hard as intended, but the chaos more than compensates.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
