Justin Long and Kate Bosworth Fight for Survival in ‘Coyotes’

Colin Minihan’s latest feature Coyotes premiered at Fantastic Fest on 20 September, setting the stage for its nationwide theatrical release on 3 October. The film blends horror and comedy as it follows a Hollywood Hills family forced to defend themselves against a relentless pack of predators.

Starring Justin Long and Kate Bosworth, who are also partners off screen, the film’s cast includes Katherine McNamara, Brittany Allen, Mila Harris and Norbert Leo Butz. The story centres on the Stewarts, a family left stranded after a violent windstorm cuts power, crushes their vehicle and severs communications. With their home isolated and wildfires blazing nearby, the greatest danger proves to be a roaming pack of highly aggressive coyotes. These are not scavengers but coordinated hunters led by a scarred alpha that begins preying on neighbours before turning its attention to the family.

Minihan, known for What Keeps You Alive and Extraterrestrial, has spoken about the anarchic tone of the film, describing it as unflinching in its pursuit of both violence and absurdity. Rather than layering in overt social commentary, Coyotes positions itself as a lean, fast-moving horror comedy that relies on its mix of tension and dark humour.

The premise pushes familiar survival tropes into exaggerated territory. The Stewarts must contend with dwindling supplies and makeshift weapons, relying on household items including a torch and an ageing iPad. The set-up is designed to escalate quickly, with claustrophobic interiors giving way to external threats that steadily close in.

The premiere at Fantastic Fest places the film among a line-up traditionally geared towards genre cinema. Its theatrical rollout through Aura Entertainment follows two weeks later, placing it directly into the early autumn horror market. With Justin Long continuing his recent run of genre roles after Barbarian, and Bosworth returning to high-profile projects, the film carries notable star power within an independent production framework.

Coyotes opens in US cinemas on 3 October.

Coyotes trailer