Available this week on Blu-ray is Coyotes, directed by Colin Minihan (What Keeps You Alive, Grave Encounters). As a fan of Minihan’s work, I was eager to see his take on a man-vs.-nature thriller—especially with real-life couple Justin Long and Kate Bosworth leading the cast. While the actors are committed and Minihan brings energy to Tad Daggerhart and Nick Simon’s screenplay, the film is significantly undermined by the distractingly poor digital rendering of its title creatures. The reliance on CGI—and particularly the conspicuous A.I.–assisted effects—makes the coyotes look so unconvincing that it becomes difficult to invest in the intended terror.
Scott (Long) is an animator deeply engrossed in his latest project, leaving his wife Liv (Bosworth) and their teenage daughter Chloe (Mila Harris) feeling sidelined. Meanwhile, a pack of vicious coyotes has begun stalking the Hollywood Hills neighborhood surrounding their home. Scott and Liv’s next-door neighbor Trip (Norbert Leo Butz) and his hired escort Julie (Brittany Allen) soon find themselves in the predators’ crosshairs, as do Scott’s best friend Tony (Kevin Glynn) and Tony’s wife Sheila (Norma Nivia). But the pack appears especially fixated on Scott’s property. When a neglected tree—one Liv had long asked Scott to address—comes crashing down onto their car during a sudden storm, it also brings down a nearby power line, cutting off their escape and plunging the area into darkness. Scott’s family and neighbors must now fight for their lives.
Coyotes can be entertaining, and the film benefits from moments of sharp humor—particularly from Allen, Minihan’s real-life partner, who steals every scene she’s in. Her character may not be sympathetic, but she’s undeniably fun to watch. Unfortunately, the film’s biggest flaw remains the appearance of the animals themselves; had the coyotes been shown less, with more attacks conveyed from their point of view, the suspense might have landed far more effectively.
Bonus Features:
- Meet the Pack: Behind the Scenes with the Makers
By: Marc Ferman
