Coyote: Justin Long and Kate Bosworth Face Wildfire and Predator Pack in Gripping Survival Thriller

If you think you’ve seen every twist the psychological horror genre can offer, think again. What if the greatest threat to your identity wasn’t a password thief, but someone after your very soul? Justin Long and Kate Bosworth are about to test your limits with “Coyote”—a film that puts a supernatural spin on the modern paranoia of having your life stolen, in every sense. Here’s why this indie thriller, directed by the acclaimed Rasmussen brothers, is about to dominate the conversation for psychological horror films in 2024.

The Official Announcement and First Look

The Hollywood Reporter just dropped an exclusive reveal, confirming industry rumors: Justin Long and Kate Bosworth headline the new project Coyote, a psychological horror feature set to premiere this fall. Along with the announcement, fans got a stirring first-look, a haunting frame that captures Long, scruffy and wide-eyed, tense in a dimly-lit room, bringing viewers immediately into the film’s feverish uncertainty.

As directors Michael and Shawn Rasmussen explained to The Hollywood Reporter, their excitement stems from tackling paranoia at its most intimate: “We set out to explore the boundary where identity blur into the supernatural—where your ‘aura’ is as much at stake as your physical safety.” Their statement signals a film unafraid to blur psychological and supernatural lines, promising a distinctive addition to the current horror landscape.

What is “Coyote” About? The Plot Deep Dive

According to the official logline, Coyote “follows a man who is captured and held hostage by a group of strangers who believe he is a ‘coyote’—a mythical being capable of stealing a person’s life force or ‘aura.’” This setup wastes no time diving straight into one of 2024’s boldest horror premises, blending primal folklore with the anxieties of the digital age.

The Horror of Identity Theft (Literally)

It’s not enough these days to worry about someone hacking your bank accounts; Coyote imagines a world where your core self is under siege. The cult-like abductors are convinced their prisoner (Long) isn’t just a man, but a supernatural threat capable of erasing their very essence—a darkly spiritual riff on modern fears about identity theft and data breaches, only with your “aura” on the line. The theme takes the psychological stakes off the grid and puts them on a metaphysical battlefield.

Paranoia and Captivity

Horror fans will recognize the tension of enforced captivity, echoing the claustrophobic dread of films like Misery or 10 Cloverfield Lane. The captors—convinced of their righteousness—might be heroes or villains, and that ambiguity infuses every scene with stomach-turning paranoia. Long’s character, unsure whether he’s fallen prey to a dangerous cult or something older and stranger, is pushed to psychological extremes rarely seen in even the best psychological horror films.

Myth vs. Reality

Is the protagonist simply a victim, or is there truth behind the feverish beliefs of his captors? Coyote skillfully leaves room for ambiguity, sustaining a chilling question: Is supernatural evil at play, or is the true terror the lonely, irrational fear at the heart of human uncertainty? This ambiguity launches Coyote into the tradition of slow-burn horror like The Witch or It Comes at Night, where nothing is as safe—or as clear—as we hope.

Behind the Camera: The Creative Team

Fans of elevated horror will recognize the fingerprints of The Rasmussen brothers, whose writing credits include modern classics like The Invisible Man (2020), and direction on indie favorites The Dark and The Stranger. The duo’s reputation for blending sharp psychological insight with chilling atmospherics means Coyote is primed to join the ranks of movies like The Invisible Man—genre films with thematic substance.

Backing this vision is Spooky Pictures (the genre division of 30West, previously behind Hereditary and Beau Is Afraid) alongside Two Flints. That partnership all but guarantees a film of serious production value and creative ambition. For fans tracking the best psychological horror films from trusted teams, Coyote signals another must-see on the fall release calendar.

Meet the Cast

Justin Long (The Captive)

It’s rare for an actor to remake himself as deftly as Justin Long. Known early for whip-smart comedies like Dodgeball, Long has, in recent years, become a central figure in indie horror with standout performances in Jeepers Creepers, Tusk, and especially Barbarian. His portrayals often oscillate between hapless everyman and something far more sinister, making him the ideal anchor for the feverish suspense Coyote promises to deliver. For fans of Justin Long horror movies, this “Justin Long new movie” is a clear event.

Kate Bosworth (The Antagonist?)

Kate Bosworth, always compelling and unpredictable, seems poised to lead the group of captors—or perhaps to subvert that expectation. Her previous dramatic turns prove she’s more than capable of delivering the slow-burn menace Coyote demands. The film leverages Bosworth’s range (and horror pedigree from Before I Wake) to deepen the psychological chess game between victim and captor, blurring the lines of audience allegiance more with each scene.

• Supporting cast includes Shane Brady, Avynn Crowder, and more, each contributing to an ensemble that keeps viewers guessing as loyalty and reality shift from moment to moment.

Release Strategy and How to Watch

Coyote is set to make its official debut in theaters and on VOD services on September 27, 2024. The release model—known as “day-and-date” reflects the evolving landscape for indie psychological horror, giving fans options for both big-screen suspense and at-home terror.

For those seeking a premium experience, there’s a one-night-only “Aura” screening event on September 24, sponsored by Aura, the jewelry brand lending both their name and a mystical sheen to the proceedings. This branded launch transforms an ordinary premiere into an event, playing directly into the cult mythology at the film’s heart. Expect Aura’s experiential marketing campaign to blur the line between product and plot—a rare synergy in today’s horror rollout strategies.

Why “Coyote” is a Movie to Watch

For Fans of Psychological Horror

If slow-burning dread and existential ambiguity are your cinematic comfort food, Coyote takes its cues from modern masterpieces like It Comes at Night, The Witch, and The Invitation. Rather than relying on jumpscares, its craft lies in atmosphere, narrative ambiguity, and the terrifying uncertainties of captivity—like a fever dream you can’t quite escape. This is psychological horror at its most immersive.

For Fans of Justin Long’s Horror Era

Long’s recent horror run, particularly in Barbarian, has gained him cult status among genre fans. If you loved Justin Long’s frantic energy and descent into madness in “Barbarian,” this film appears hand-tailored to continue that trend—raising the emotional stakes and supernatural weirdness even higher. There’s a reason his star power is part of the movie’s SEO goldmine: every new genre outing delivers a unique cocktail of empathy, shock, and skepticism the indie horror world can’t get enough of.

Unique Supernatural Concept

Amid a glut of horror movies built around ghosts and demons, Coyote uses the idea of aura theft—that your essence, not just your life, can be stolen—as the engine for its scares. It’s a take refreshingly original for diehard horror fans and accessible enough to resonate with anyone who’s had a passing anxiety over modern identity theft. This fresh angle is more than just a gimmick; it’s a philosophical question wrapped in the tension of a midnight standoff, making “Coyote movie plot” fodder for late-night debates.

Conclusion

Coyote, starring Justin Long and Kate Bosworth, arrives in theaters and on VOD September 27, fusing indie ambition, mythic terror, and A-list intrigue into what may be the fall’s most distinctive psychological horror ride. With themes drawn from the anxieties of our digital and spiritual identities, a creative team behind some of the most innovative horror in recent years, and a premise that dares to push the genre’s boundaries, Coyote is poised to make a major impact.

Will you be checking out Coyote this fall? Does the idea of someone stealing your aura freak you out as much as us? Share your theories and expectations in the comments below! Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive trailers, and our full review closer to the release date.