Coyote

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.

In an age where we deal with an ongoing refugee crisis around the planet, films with massive budgets and marketing machines flood our screens with flashy glossy soulless 'entertainment'.

Coyote may lack the budget, but for what it lacks in money, it makes up in heart. The central relationship between the two girls is beautifully written and executed by the two leads. The world building around them, especially the first half, almost makes you forget this is a super Indy film!

For the past few years, I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of quality cinema. It is clear this director is a lover of the medium. He has heart, and asks the audience to think about the world in which we live. Not escape it for entertainments sake. This vocational approach to the work is shining through in every frame. And when there is a moment that makes the movie seem like it could have done with a few more bucks, it just makes me even more excited to see what the future for Dustin holds as he builds his career. What a triumphant start!

I would urge anyone to make up their own mind, you can't do that by reading reviews. Watch the film!

"Coyote" throws you into a future where love's got some serious obstacles. Ekaterina and Anya, refugees escaping a grim situation, take a teleportation gamble that tears them apart. Things get messy when they stumble into a dark human trafficking scene involving corrupt politicians.

The lead duo brings a raw, believable connection that makes you root for them in the middle of all the chaos. Visually, it's a stunner with teleportation scenes and a dystopian world that's both eerie and fascinating.

"Coyote" isn't just a love story; it dives into society's darker corners with corrupt politicians and human trafficking. It's this intense journey that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

This film isn't your usual flick, but if you're into stories that mess with your emotions and make you believe in the power of love, "Coyote" is a solid pick.

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.

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.