Coyote

Coyote is a contemporary sci-fi story that deals with themes of class power conflicts, immigration at great danger for a better life, and the backward steps our world appears to be taking when it comes to LGBTQ rights. It is an important and profound commentary wrapped in an exciting and gripping drama.

The film's visuals are rich and evocative, from a gritty Eastern European slum to a lavish English countryside manor, to some mysterious seaside location. The acting, lead by Therica Wilson-Reed of Netflix's The Witcher series, is excellent, and the editing is tight and moves the film along at high pace. Together, all these strengths pulled me in and kept me almost literally on the edge of my seat till the surprising conclusion. (I'm pretty sure I was gripping the couch at times!)

Finally, the main characters are compelling, and I cared about them right away and rooted for them to find a way through a dark and treacherous (though lavish at times) landscape. I'm trying to write a review that doesn't have spoilers, so I'll say this: Watch Coyote, and If you're on the fence about it, just view the trailer and you'll see what I mean!

I watched this at the Odeon in Kingston today not going with any expectations.

In ref to the story. Although it was based on fleeing refugees in the future it was hard not to think that these highlighted struggles were the problems and hardships that people still face today. How people in power may exploit people in need. How what's shown isn't what's actually the truth.

In ref to the locations. There were only a few locations but the story was powerful enough to draw you into this world.

The acting was top notch, a great ensemble piece.

The twist in the story at the end, that stole the show.

Not to mention. Very fitting music score. Nice special effects with clean editing, directed perfectly.

I thought this was a great movie. Go and watch it!!

2 lovers are separated and try hard to get back together using an underground trafficking ring that uses teleportation. Not the most exciting of storyline, but it's Sci-Fi, my favourite genre.

But I quickly realise from the opening screens that it's distributed by Gravitas Venturas, the champions of independent cinema. I'm certain that I once watched a film that was distributed by GV and actually enjoyed it, but it's a while go now and I can't recall the film.

As expected, terrible music, terrible acting, average sets, terrible acting, sometimes confusing and boring dialogue, and did I mention terrible acting?

I strongly believe that it is indeed possible to review a film without watching it to it's end. You would not read 330 pages of a 350 page book and then rave about the book after the last 20 pages? A film is a linear story and it has to engage you along the way otherwise the surprise or whatever the final scenes are, are based on a non enjoyable journey to get there.

So it was with Coyote, which did not engage me in any way even for a minute, so I turned it off and consigned it to the 'rubbish' category.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It provides commentary on issues which are sadly becoming more relevant all of the time and the plight faced by a great number of real people. By using teleportation as the basis for the plot the film does feel somewhat like an extended Black Mirror episode, albeit perhaps one with less humour than we'd expect from Charlie Brooker. The acting is good and the relatively small number of locations are used to good effect with some gorgeous visuals. The soundtrack fitted well and the sparingly used visual effects did not distract from the action. Please do see this, it's a sombre look at a world we could easily become.

Do not let the low average rating deter you. The film is the victim of bot attacks online, as most of the negative reviews, at this point, come from countries where the film isn't even available yet. These days, any film that deals sympathetically with the LGBTQ+ community, in any way, is likely to become a target of this nonsense. The best way to fight this kind of stuff, is to SEE THE FILM!

And, if you do, you will not be disappointed. This is a great little sci-fi film that shows what we all learned in the 1950s: you can make a great sci-fi film without BILLIONS of bucks! Yes, it's obvious that there wasn't that much money here. But, the concept and the execution are what carries this off. I kept thinking, over and over, "Cronenberg. Cronenberg. Cronenberg". Not that there's a lot of body horror, there's not. But the icy-cold delivery, and the off-kilter concept behind it all, definitely owe something to The Master.

Just go watch it. The acting is spot-on, the direction is perfect, the script is based on a concept that is unique and intriguing. If you're a sci-fi fan, I can't see how you wouldn't enjoy this.