‘Coyotes’ Blu-ray Review
Stars: Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, Katherine McNamara | Written and Directed by Colin Minahan
Colin Minahan has built a solid reputation within genre circles thanks to films like It Stains the Sands Red and What Keeps You Alive, but Coyotes sees him pivot into much stranger territory. Released in 2025 and now making its way to UK Blu-ray, this is a creature feature that swaps seriousness for satire, delivering a knowingly daft slice of survival horror that’s more interested in entertainment than tension.
The setup is pure high-concept chaos: a family is trapped inside their Hollywood Hills home as wildfires rage outside, only to discover that escape isn’t an option thanks to a pack of hostile coyotes prowling the property. It’s a ridiculous premise, and the film fully embraces it.
Rather than playing things straight, Coyotes leans hard into comedy-horror, revelling in its own absurdity. Fans of deliberately over-the-top genre fare in the vein of Cocaine Bear will feel right at home here. The film knows exactly what it is, and never pretends to be anything more than a pulpy, tongue-in-cheek ride.
Where things falter is in the execution of the effects. The digital coyotes are clearly artificial, and their presence often pulls you out of the moment. Whether that’s down to budget or creative choices, the visuals struggle to sell the threat. What does work, however, is the cast. Justin Long, Kate Bosworth and the rest of the ensemble fully commit, treating every escalating situation with complete sincerity. That straight-faced approach is what ultimately holds the film together.
On Blu-ray, Coyotes is presented in 1080p with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, accompanied by an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The transfer is clean and stable, with no obvious visual or audio issues. Bonus material is minimal, limited to a single behind-the-scenes featurette titled “Meet the Pack”, which may disappoint collectors hoping for deeper supplemental content.
In the end, Coyotes won’t be for everyone. Its sense of humour is broad, its effects are ropey, and realism is firmly off the table. But for viewers in the mood for something loud, silly, and unapologetically bonkers, this is an entertaining creature feature. The weak CGI does hurt the film’s overall impact, but if you’re willing to roll with the madness, there’s fun to be had.
***½ 3.5/5
Coyotes is out now on DVD and Blu-ray from Signature Entertainment.
