Coyotes (2025)
A tense Palestinian short drama about a surgeon whose late-night drive through the West Bank becomes a life-changing ordeal.
Coyotes - Movie Information
- Original Title: ذئاب البراري
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Said Zagha
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 20m
- Original Language: Arabic
- Spoken Languages: English, Arabic, Hebrew
- Alternative Titles: Kojotai (LT)
- Production Companies: Night Owls Productions, Salaud Morisset, The Imaginarium Films, Saffuriya & Ma'alul Productions
- Production Countries: Palestinian Territory, France, Jordan, United Kingdom
Coyotes - Plot
A Palestinian surgeon drives home after a long night shift, but little does she know that a commute through a desolate West Bank road will change her forever.
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Coyotes - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Said Zagha
Main Cast
- Maria Zreik
- Ali Suliman
- Yumna Marwan
- Jamal Meri
- Eslam El-Awadi
Writers
- Said Zagha
Producers
- Myriam Sassine
Coyotes - FAQs
What is Coyotes about?
Coyotes follows Lubna, a Palestinian surgeon heading home after an exhausting night shift. What begins as a routine drive through a deserted West Bank road quickly spirals into a tense, transformative encounter that forces her to confront the harsh realities of life under occupation. It's a compact, powerful story told in just 20 minutes.
Does Coyotes have a happy ending?
Coyotes doesn't offer easy comfort. The film leans into moral ambiguity and emotional weight, leaving viewers with a haunting sense of unresolved tension. Rather than a tidy resolution, it ends on a note that lingers — the kind that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Where can you stream Coyotes online?
You can watch Coyotes for free on Kanopy. It's a great option if you have access through your local library or university. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date streaming availability in your region.
What makes Coyotes a compelling short film?
In just 20 minutes, Coyotes manages to build genuine suspense and emotional depth. Director Said Zagha uses the confined setting of a nighttime road to explore themes of vulnerability, occupation, and survival. The film's tight pacing and strong performances — especially from Maria Zreik — make every minute count.
Who are the main actors in Coyotes?
The cast is led by Maria Zreik as Lubna, the Palestinian surgeon at the heart of the story. She's joined by Ali Suliman and Yumna Marwan, both well-regarded actors in Palestinian and Arab cinema, along with Jamal Meri and Eslam El-Awadi rounding out the ensemble.
Who directed Coyotes and what is his background?
Coyotes was written and directed by Said Zagha, a Palestinian filmmaker. The film is a co-production spanning Palestinian Territory, France, Jordan, and the United Kingdom, reflecting Zagha's ability to bring together international creative partners for a deeply personal, politically resonant story.
Is Coyotes based on a true story?
Coyotes is not directly based on a single documented event, but it draws deeply from the lived realities of Palestinians navigating checkpoints and restricted roads in the West Bank. The scenario it depicts — a lone driver on a desolate road at night — reflects experiences that are all too familiar in that context.
What films are similar to Coyotes?
If Coyotes resonates with you, check out The Attack (2012) and Holy Lands (2019) for more stories rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian experience. For similarly tense, character-driven dramas with a strong sense of place and moral urgency, Return (2011) and Electricity (2014) are also worth your time.
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