Trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, a family fights for survival when caught between a raging wildfire and a pack of savage coyotes.
Monster movies lend themselves to all sorts of interpretations—some lean into straight-faced terror, others aim for laughs, and a few try to juggle both genres. Pulling off a mix of horror and comedy isn’t simple, and it’s rare to see a film really nail the combination. Ron Underwood’s “Tremors” from 1990, starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, is a standout example. Although it didn’t make much of a splash in theaters, “Tremors” found a devoted audience on home video, eventually spawning six sequels and a TV show, all thanks to its clever blend of chills and sharp humor.
By contrast, director Colin Minihan’s “Coyotes” seems unsure of which tone to settle on. The film delivers suspenseful moments and some genuinely funny parts, but the shifts between the two can be jarring. The comedic touches occasionally hit the mark, but just as often fall flat, which makes the overall tone feel uneven. Had the film committed more fully to either scares or laughs, it might have come together in a more unified way.
The plot focuses on Scott and Liv Stewart (Justin Long and Kate Bosworth) and their daughter Chloe (Mila Harris), who live in the Hollywood Hills. Their nightmare begins when a powerful Santa Ana windstorm causes chaos: power outages, downed trees and lines, destroyed cell towers, and fires that trap them in their home. As they wait for the storm to pass, a group of unusually smart and vicious coyotes begins to lay siege to the house, turning the night into a desperate fight for survival.
Justin Long delivers a convincing turn as Scott, an unlikely protagonist forced to confront his fears for the sake of his family. Kate Bosworth plays the supportive partner, while Mila Harris impresses as Chloe, a quick-thinking teen who’s fast to grasp the severity of their situation before anybody else. Brittany Allen stands out as Julie, a savvy call girl who gets caught up in the chaos with Trip (Norbert Leo Butz), their quirky neighbor. Allen’s character adapts utilizing wit and courage, often staying one step ahead of the predators—sometimes thanks to her own smarts, sometimes just by luck.
Minihan borrows from Spielberg’s playbook, choosing to keep the coyotes mostly hidden in shadow and using a mix of practical and digital effects. The CGI isn’t always seamless, but the film’s energetic pacing and creative set pieces keep things engaging.
While the film’s shifting tone might be distracting at times, “Coyotes” still manages to entertain. These aren’t your average scavengers—they’re portrayed as cunning, coordinated, and alarmingly aggressive. Their backstory is left vague, which only heightens their threat. Often, the most unsettling monsters are the ones that appear out of nowhere and for no apparent reason, and “Coyotes” uses that unpredictability to good effect.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD November 28th
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