In Colin Minihan’s new film “Coyotes,” which debuted Saturday at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, Justin Long and Kate Bosworth play a couple forced to survive when their Hollywood Hills house is surrounded by killer coyotes. It’s a role close to their heart, as the actors have been married in real life since 2023 — just with significantly fewer wild animal attacks. The only problem? In the film, their characters’ relationship is a bit rocky, while Long and Bosworth are decidedly on the same loving page.
“We have so much fun together and we like each other so much that we would fall into so much play in the scenes,” Bosworth says. “But Colin would have to come in and say, ‘Guys, no one’s gonna see that there’s a problem with these people.’ I joke to say that my adoration for Justin eclipsed my professional capability.”
The couple, who met while filming the 2021 horror-comedy “House of Darkness,” first came across “Coyotes” when Long was sent the script but wasn’t able to read it, as he was busy directing the short film “Fur Babies” for last year’s spooky anthology “V/H/S/Beyond.” Bosworth read it on his behalf and encouraged him to consider it as a starring vehicle.
“My favorite movies are those that ride the razor’s edge of horror and comedy; there’s a mashup of genres,” she says. “This screenplay certainly reads that way. And then when we saw Colin’s ‘What Keeps You Alive,’ which is such a great film. Having worked in this industry for so long, I could tell that he had challenging restraints in certain places, and he chose to contain them in a certain way. It was a real character piece, but obviously in a genre world. I just thought he was such an interesting, talented and capable filmmaker.”
The couple had been looking for a project to work on together, and their shared agent suggested Bosworth consider the other lead role. The trio ended up having such a strong shared vision that they’re continuing their creative partnership beyond “Coyotes.” Prior to the film’s Fantastic Fest bow, it was announced that Bosworth and Long would be producing a remake of Minihan’s 2011 cult hit “Grave Encounters” with him, and Long set to star.
“We all met and it really was love at first meet between us and Colin,” Bosworth says. “It continues to be a love story.”
The pair says Minihan’s storytelling strikes a chord with them as actors while trying to walk the tightrope between humor and horror in a film like “Coyotes.”
“He’s very truthful,” Long says. “That’s one of the things that gave me a lot of confidence about him. Even though there are certain heightened situations these people are in, there’s a very grounded nature to the acting. He has an ear for truth that is very comforting as an actor. It feels like a North Star, whenever I’m in doubt, whenever I’m spinning.”
While the obvious draw to the film is campy, gory coyote action, the couple is effusive about each other’s ability to pull off heavier moments during the family’s arc.
“I am Justin’s biggest fan,” Bosworth says. “I was so blown away and impressed, because obviously people know him so well for the horror genre and for comedy. But the dramatic moments in this movie for him are really so impressive, and they were a beautiful thing for me to watch as a professional — and, of course, as his wife, but really as a professional. He’s so, so good. It’s such a beautiful, well-rounded performance.”
Long blushes through the compliment and returns it, praising Bosworth right back.
“Her performance has everything,” he says. “It’s got swings of wild strength, and it’s got a real tender, maternal heart. It’s a real pivot I’m excited for people to see.”
Even after a short Zoom interview, it’s clear that even killer coyotes couldn’t pull this couple apart.
Watch the “Coyotes” trailer below.
