Coyote

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.

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!

Watched as part of the Romford Film Festival.

Great example of a smaller film playing to its strengths. After a compelling opening sequence, the story is largely contained to a single location. But it's a great one at that. The grand scale of the house compliments the underlying story themes of class and status well.

As with all good sci-fi, the central story feels lifted from todays news, albeit with a dystopian lens that gives it a genre twist.

Therica Wilson-Reed does a good job of holding focus in an ensemble of female leading roles, balancing strength and vulnerability.

An intriguing script that works around the classic investigation, 'all is not what it seems,' plot thread kept me second guessing exactly where it was going.

All in all I think this is a really thought provoking debut effort from Dustin Curtis Murphy and I'd be interested to see what comes next.

Stumbled upon Coyote while attending Romford film festival and it quickly became a highlight of the day.

Interesting plot which was refreshing compared to current films being released, strong performance from the lead with great direction from Dustin Murphy.

Cinematography and art direction is impressive and they pull of the dystopian vibe and look which is sometimes difficult to do on budgets of this size.

Would definitely recommend and looking forward to the film being released in the UK on streaming platforms.

I look forward to seeing future projects from these collaborators and artists.