Stefan Ruf’s Bloodthirsty Western ‘Coyote Woman’ Hits Digital Platforms

Stefan Ruf’s latest film, Coyote Woman, promises a raw and intense take on the Western genre, drawing characters directly from Cormac McCarthy’s epic historical novel Blood Meridian. This blood-soaked journey into the American frontier will see the notorious scalp hunters Judge Holden and J.J. Glanton brought to life on screen for the first time. With its gritty aesthetic and powerful performances, Coyote Woman is poised to make a significant impact.

Influenced by controversial American Western Soldier Blue and Spaghetti Westerns such as Navajo Joe, Apache Woman, and Scalps, Ruf has crafted a film that blends the brutal realism of historical events with the stylized violence of grindhouse cinema. The screenplay, co-written by Ruf and John Herndon, weaves a tale of vengeance and survival against the harsh backdrop of the Wild West.

At the heart of Coyote Woman is its unique score, composed and performed by Ruf himself. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Ennio Morricone, John Carpenter, and Goblin, Ruf describes the music as “raw and somehow dirty and funky. It’s pure, simple but also avant-garde. It’s something no one would put in a movie these days. It’s rock n’ roll, just like the shooting of the movie.”

The film also features the final performance of legendary B-movie stuntman Gary Kent. Known for his work in countless low-budget films and hailed by Quentin Tarantino as a personal favourite, Kent’s presence adds a layer of authenticity and homage to the genre. Having previously collaborated with Ruf on Sex Terrorists on Wheels, Kent’s swan song in Coyote Woman is a fitting tribute to his storied career.

Coyote Woman explores the intertwined fates of half-sisters Iris and Cynthia. After their parents are brutally killed by Comanches, Iris escapes, consumed by a desire for revenge. Meanwhile, Cynthia is adopted by the tribe and grows into a formidable warrior.

Ten years later, Iris hires a gang of rogue Texas Rangers-turned-scalp hunters, led by the notorious J.J. Glanton and Judge Holden, to eliminate the last free band of Comanches. These hunters, however, are met with unexpected resistance. The Comanche tribe, under the leadership of Chief Coughing Buffalo and the shaman Deep Water, must defend themselves. Texas Ranger Major Adamson dispatches Captain Isaac Burton and Sergeant “Sticky Joe” Joseph to protect the tribe.

As the hunters strike, Cynthia and the shaman, now known as Stupid Water, join forces with the Rangers to exact a brutal revenge on Glanton and Holden.

Stefan Ruf’s Coyote Woman not only pays homage to the Western genre but reinvents it for a modern audience. With its compelling characters, brutal action sequences, and a score that perfectly captures the film’s raw energy, Coyote Woman is set to become a worthy entry in the world of contemporary Westerns.

Starring Larissa Dali, Van Quattro, Craig Nigh, Cedric Jonathan, Nikk Guerra, and Gary Kent, Coyote Woman is directed by Stefan Ruf and written by Ruf and John Herndon. The film is sure to captivate audiences with its blend of historical accuracy, dramatic storytelling, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.

Be sure to catch the European premiere of Coyote Woman on digital platforms now.

Coyote Woman trailer