As if the folks in Southern California didn’t have enough natural disasters with which to contend, including wildfires, earthquakes, and mudslides.
Now they must fight off killer canines in “Coyotes” (Aura). A horror-comedy about people being stalked by a vicious pack of beasts prowling the Hollywood Hills, “Coyotes” stars Justin Long who has become the male version of a Scream Queen via the critically acclaimed “Barbarian,” as well as “Jeepers Creepers,” “Drag Me to Hell,” and “House of Darkness.”
Coyote sightings have become a more common occurrence as the wildfires push the creatures deeper into L.A. neighborhoods. Scott (Long), a comic book artist, lives with his wife Liv (Kate Bosworth, who is married to Long), and tween daughter Chloe (Mila Harris), in the Hills. A distracted workaholic, Scott is reminded by Liv that he never cut down the tree as promised, as a storm rages outside. Of course, the tree topples, crushing the family car and knocking down power lines.
But that’s not the worst of it. Suddenly, there are salivating coyotes everywhere. Having already devoured an influencer and her little dog, they are after bigger fish, or people, if you will. After having met with highly recommended exterminator Devon (Keir O’Donnell), to deal with the rat problem in the walls of his house, Scott comes face-to-face with a much more serious threat.
Scott and his family aren’t the only ones under siege. Trippy neighbor Trip (Norbert Leo Butz), whose backyard is a “rat paradise,” and Julie (Brittany Allen), the sex worker he has hired for the evening, discover that Trip’s beloved cat Lucy was one of the coyotes’ victims. However, the worst is yet to come for them as the coyotes invade Trip’s house. Tony (Kevin Glynn), another neighbor of Scott’s, and his wife Sheila (Norma Nivia) become part of the coyotes’ meal plan, as well.
Somehow, the resourceful Julie survives the attack (unlike Trip) and makes her way to Scott and Liv’s house. Now the quintet, including the family dog Charlie, must do their best to outwit the coyotes. Chloe’s fascination with sharks leads Scott to constructing a makeshift “shark cage” to confront the coyotes. While he’s in his garage workshop, he takes a detour through a crawlspace and makes an unexpected discovery that he thinks may be the reason for the coyotes’ unwavering focus on his home.
Just in time for the spooky Halloween season, “Coyotes” offers gruesome gore and more than a few laughs, proving that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s also a message about not getting lost in one’s work and neglecting loved ones.
Rating: C+
