Coyote (David Lynch, 2002, USA)

Coyote is one of David Lynch's stranger short films, made during a period after the release of Mulholland Drive when he was making many short films, most of which were featured on the then-new DavidLynch.com. Coyote takes place in a single location - a dimly lit hotel room, that would not look out of place in Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986). There is a crackling sound. As in most of Lynch's shorts, the audio and sound design does a great deal of the heavy lifting here in creating a sense of atmosphere. The room is sparsely decorated with two couches. There is something on the floor, but it is difficult to even tell what it is because of the grainy quality of the footage. The room has pink walls.

In addition to the sound of crackling, there is also a low and drumming humming, which is a sound typically used in Lynch's work. The static screen remains in place for much of the film, and it seems almost that this is some kind of art installation at first. It is one of Lynch's more obscure works for sure. Eventually, an ambient score begins to play in the background, reminiscent of Lynch's collaborations with Dean Hurley. Finally, the coyote enters the screen and begins wandering around the room. It is difficult in the version I watched to tell if the Coyote is digitally rendered or real. In any case, the coyote appears on screen only for a brief moment before wandering off. Meanwhile, the ambient score continues, creating a deep sense of unease throughout. While Coyote is certainly unsettling, it leaves something to be desired as far as Lynch's short films go. Lynch has explored similar ideas in much more impactful ways in other short films that he has directed. Recommended only for completists.

5/10