There’s no denying that Death of a Unicorn has an intriguing premise. Directed by first-time filmmaker Alex Scharfman and starring a notable cast including Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Will Poulter, and Téa Leoni, it promises a satirical, action-horror take on unicorn mythology while skewering the greedy, jaded world of the ultra-wealthy.
Unfortunately, what could have been a sharp and imaginative critique on excess is instead a scatterbrained mash-up that leans heavily on tired horror tropes and repetitive shock value, without offering much insight or originality in return.
Struggling salesman Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his whip-smart daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), an art history student with a penchant for mythological lore, are en route to a remote wilderness retreat in the mountains. Elliot is eager to impress the powerful Leopold clan, owners of a billion-dollar pharmaceutical empire, and secure a deal that could change their fortunes. But their trip takes a bizarre turn when they accidentally hit what appears to be a unicorn with their car. Lesson to be learned people, stay off cell phones while driving! You might hit a unicorn!
What should have been an extraordinary discovery turns dark when the supposedly dead unicorn vanishes, only for its magical horn to mysteriously heal those who touch it. Elliott sees the miracle as a financial windfall, and when the terminally ill patriarch, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant) takes an interest, the pharmaceutical mogul pushes the family business into a frenzy to exploit the unicorn’s restorative power.
Caught between greed and survival, the Kintners must decide where their loyalties lie. Will Elliot's ambition put them into even greater danger? And will Ridley’s newfound understanding of unicorn lore help them face forces beyond human comprehension?
The film’s central satirical theme—that of exploiting something as pure and magical as a unicorn for profit—is a setup rich with great potential. However, Scharfman, who also co-writes, fails to explore the full depth of the story’s themes. Instead of delivering a sharp commentary on greed or providing a fresh "eat-the-rich" parable, the movie seems more interested in cycling through predictable horror beats. As a result, scenes meant to be thrilling come across as hollow.
Visually, Death of a Unicorn struggles to stand out. The special effects are low-to-mid level at best and fail to elevate the film into the eerie and magical world it aspires to create. Scharfman should take a tip from filmmakers of yore who learned – because they didn’t have access to CGI – that showing less of a monster is more. For a creature meant to represent purity and myth, the CGI rendering leaves it feeling uninspired, and robotic in appearance.
The film does have its bright spots, thanks largely to the performances of its cast. Jenna Ortega, as the daughter grappling with the bizarre and morally gray situation, brings her signature grit and depth, proving once again why she’s one of the breakout stars of modern horror. Ortega anchors every scene she’s in, shouldering most of the emotional weight of the film.
Death of a Unicorn is a frustrating experience. It teases us with a bold setup and a talented cast but falters in execution at almost every turn. Its satire lacks bite, its visual world feels generic, and its over-reliance on horror clichés ultimately undermines its potential as a meaningful or memorable story.
Fans of Jenna Ortega or those who enjoy schlocky horror elements, may still find some value—but for everyone else, this unicorn is one myth best left unchased.
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 107 mins
Director: Alex Scharfman
Writer: Alex Scharfman
Cast: Jenna Ortega; Paul Rudd; David Pasquesi
Genre: Comedy | Horror
Tagline: Payback is a Beast
Memorable Movie Quote: "It kinda felt like it was showing me something"
Distributor: A24
Official Site: https://a24films.com/
Release Date: March 28, 2025
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO.
