✅ “Death of a Unicorn (2025)” is a darkly comedic horror-thriller from A24, marking director Alex Scharfman’s feature debut. Starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, the film takes an absurd premise—a father and daughter accidentally killing a baby unicorn—and spins it into a biting satire on greed, exploitation, and the consequences of tampering with nature. Blending elements of fantasy, black comedy, and creature feature horror, the movie plunges its characters into a bizarre and increasingly violent weekend retreat. Released on March 28, 2025, it promises to be a unique and polarizing cinematic experience, lauded for its originality and bold genre-bending.

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6.391/10

Death of a Unicorn

Director: Alex Scharfman

Writers: Alex Scharfman

Stars: Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Will Poulter

Country: United States of America

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Comedy

Languages: English

Overview: A father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

TMDb: View on TMDb

Death of a Unicorn (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Death of a Unicorn (2025)
• Language: English
• Budget: $15,000,000
• Revenue: $16,389,915 (As of June 23, 2025)
• Runtime: 104 Minutes (1 Hour 44 Minutes)
• Release Date: March 28, 2025 (North America Wide Release) | Premiered March 8, 2025 (SXSW)
• Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Black Comedy
• Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E. Grant, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Stephen Park, Jessica Hynes
• Directors: Alex Scharfman
• Screenplay: Alex Scharfman
• Studios & Producers: A24, Ley Line (Producers: Drew Houpt, Lucas Joaquin, Alex Scharfman, Lars Knudsen, Tyler Campellone, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page. Executive Producers: Ari Aster, David Darby, Jacob Epstein, Nate Kamiya, Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Michael Williams)
• Voice Cast: Not Applicable
• Animation & Style: Not Applicable

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Plot Summary

“Death of a Unicorn” is a darkly comedic horror-thriller that begins with an absurd, yet pivotal, incident. Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd), a crisis management lawyer, and his estranged teenage daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), are on their way to a weekend retreat at the isolated estate of Elliot’s billionaire pharmaceutical boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). During their drive, they accidentally hit and kill a baby unicorn. Instead of leaving the mythical creature, they bring its carcass along, hoping to dispose of it discreetly.

However, the Leopold family soon discovers the unicorn’s body and, upon realizing its flesh, blood, and most notably, its horn, possess miraculous curative properties, they see an unprecedented opportunity for exploitation and immense wealth. Their attempts to harvest and monetize the unicorn’s magical essence lead to increasingly grotesque and morally bankrupt actions. This exploitation, however, has deadly consequences, as vengeful parent unicorns, far from the benevolent creatures of folklore, arrive to reclaim their young. The Kintners find themselves trapped in the Leopold estate, caught between a wealthy, deranged family driven by greed and a pair of furious, monstrous mythical beasts. The film escalates into a surreal and violent ordeal, blending creature feature horror with biting satire on corporate avarice and the destructive nature of humanity’s desire to control and profit from the natural world.

Cast & Crew

“Death of a Unicorn” features a compelling and star-studded cast led by Paul Rudd as Elliot Kintner, a down-on-his-luck lawyer trying to navigate both a strained relationship with his daughter and a high-stakes weekend with a ruthless billionaire. Rudd brings his signature blend of charm and comedic timing, even within the film’s darker context, creating a relatable protagonist thrust into an absurd nightmare. Jenna Ortega plays Ridley Kintner, Elliot’s cynical and observant teenage daughter. Ortega, known for her roles in horror, delivers a nuanced performance that grounds the fantastical elements with a sense of adolescent disillusionment and burgeoning resilience.

The supporting cast is equally strong, with Richard E. Grant as the eccentric and morally corrupt billionaire Odell Leopold, and Téa Leoni as his equally unhinged wife, Belinda, both delivering deliciously over-the-top performances that amplify the film’s satirical edge. Will Poulter plays Shepard Leopold, their unsettlingly intense son, while Anthony Carrigan adds a layer of dark humor as Griff, the family’s enigmatic butler. Sunita Mani and Stephen Park portray the scientists tasked with exploiting the unicorn’s properties, further contributing to the film’s grotesque and comedic moments. Directed and written by Alex Scharfman, this ensemble works to create a bizarre yet captivating world, blending genres seamlessly and delivering memorable performances.

Critical & Audience Response

“Death of a Unicorn” has garnered a mixed-to-positive reception from critics and audiences since its world premiere at SXSW on March 8, 2025, and its theatrical release on March 28, 2025. On Metacritic, the film holds a “Mixed or Average” score, with critics praising its originality, bold genre-bending (black comedy, horror, fantasy, satire), and the strong performances from its lead cast, particularly Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, who effectively navigate the film’s absurd tone. Reviewers often highlight its biting social commentary on greed and exploitation.

However, the film’s unconventional and often chaotic tone has been a point of contention. Some critics found its constant shifts between heartfelt moments, grotesque satire, and graphic violence to be disorienting or uneven. The deliberate ambiguity and willingness to defy conventional narrative structures also polarized audiences. While some lauded its unique vision and refusal to play it safe, others found its execution uneven or its themes not fully realized. Despite the mixed critical score, the film has generated considerable buzz, especially among fans of A24’s distinct brand of cinema and those looking for something genuinely fresh and unconventional in the horror-comedy genre. Its theatrical revenue of over $16 million suggests a solid performance for an independent film with such a niche appeal.

Direction & Cinematography

“Death of a Unicorn” marks the feature directorial debut of Alex Scharfman, who also penned the screenplay. Scharfman’s direction is ambitious and bold, fearlessly blending disparate genres—black comedy, creature feature, horror, and social satire—into a singular, unsettling vision. He masterfully orchestrates the film’s chaotic and absurd tone, guiding his cast through increasingly bizarre scenarios while maintaining a tight grip on the core themes of greed and exploitation. Scharfman demonstrates a keen eye for visual storytelling, allowing the film’s fantastical elements to feel both mythical and horrifyingly real. His confidence in embracing the film’s strangeness is a testament to his unique voice, establishing a distinct directorial style from his very first feature.

The cinematography by Larry Fong, ASC, is crucial in establishing the film’s distinct aesthetic. Fong, known for his work on visually striking films like “Watchmen” and “300,” brings a polished yet unsettling look to “Death of a Unicorn.” He expertly captures the secluded, opulent setting of the Leopold estate, contrasting its luxurious facade with the grotesque and violent events that unfold. Fong utilizes lighting and framing to heighten both the comedic absurdity and the horrific tension, ensuring that even the most bizarre moments are visually compelling. His cinematography contributes significantly to the film’s ability to maintain its unique tone, making the mythical creatures feel both ancient and terrifyingly present, and grounding the fantastical elements within a visually cohesive and impactful framework.

Music & Background Score

The music and background score for “Death of a Unicorn” are composed by Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco. Their collaborative score plays a pivotal role in weaving together the film’s disparate genres—horror, comedy, and fantasy—into a cohesive and unsettling soundscape. The score avoids conventional horror stings, opting instead for a more atmospheric and often dissonant approach that enhances the film’s psychological tension and dark humor.

Romer and Greco’s compositions contribute to the film’s unique tone by subtly oscillating between moments of eerie suspense, dark whimsicality, and outright dread. They use a blend of orchestral and electronic elements to create a score that feels both mythic and modern, perfectly complementing the film’s absurd premise and its biting satire. The music underscores the characters’ escalating panic and the monstrous nature of the unicorns, making their appearances more impactful. The score is a vital component in crafting the film’s bizarre and unpredictable experience, guiding the audience’s emotional journey through its chaotic narrative without overpowering the on-screen action.

Visuals & Special Effects

As an A24 production, “Death of a Unicorn” prioritizes visual storytelling and often blends practical effects with subtle CGI to create its unique aesthetic. The film’s primary visual draw revolves around the portrayal of the unicorns—from the initial, seemingly harmless baby to the formidable and vengeful adults. The design of these mythical creatures is key to the film’s success, making them both recognizable and terrifying, subverting traditional notions of beauty and purity. The visual effects are crucial in depicting their magical properties and their brutal, violent capabilities, ensuring that the horror elements are impactful.

Beyond the creatures themselves, the film’s visuals extend to the opulent yet increasingly blood-soaked setting of the billionaire’s estate. The special effects are used to enhance the grotesque consequences of the family’s exploitation, including graphic violence and body horror elements, without becoming overly gratuitous. The film’s overall visual style is designed to be unsettling and darkly comedic, supporting its satirical themes. The combination of strong creature design, atmospheric cinematography, and well-executed special effects helps to fully realize Alex Scharfman’s bizarre vision, making the fantastical elements feel grounded within the film’s dark reality.

Editing & Screenplay

The editing for “Death of a Unicorn” by Ron Dulin, ACE, plays a crucial role in shaping the film’s unpredictable and genre-bending narrative. Dulin navigates the film’s shifts between dark comedy, genuine horror, and satirical commentary with precision, ensuring that the pacing remains dynamic despite the tonal variations. The editing effectively builds tension during the creature attack sequences while also allowing moments of absurd humor to land. The cuts are often sharp and impactful, contributing to the film’s jarring and disorienting effect, which mirrors the characters’ descent into chaos. Dulin’s work is essential in maintaining the film’s peculiar rhythm and delivering a cohesive experience despite its unconventional structure.

The screenplay, written by director Alex Scharfman, is the foundation of the film’s originality and audacity. Scharfman crafts a story that takes a high-concept premise and uses it as a vehicle for biting social commentary on corporate greed, scientific hubris, and humanity’s destructive relationship with nature. The script is unafraid to be absurd, grotesque, and thought-provoking all at once. While some critics found the tonal shifts to be uneven, many lauded the screenplay’s ambition and unique voice. Scharfman develops characters who are flawed and often morally bankrupt, making their desperate struggle against the vengeful unicorns both terrifying and darkly comedic. The screenplay’s commitment to its strange premise and its willingness to subvert audience expectations make “Death of a Unicorn” a memorable and discussed film.

Positives / What Works

“Death of a Unicorn” shines with its exceptionally original concept, blending fantasy and horror with a sharp satirical edge against corporate greed. The performances by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega are widely praised, with their dynamic as a dysfunctional father-daughter duo anchoring the film’s emotional core amidst the chaos. Alex Scharfman’s bold and distinctive directorial vision, unafraid to explore grotesque and absurd territory, is a major strength. The film’s black comedic elements are often effective, providing much-needed levity to the dark narrative. The creature design and overall visual effects are well-executed, making the mythical beasts genuinely terrifying. Furthermore, the movie’s ability to spark discussion about its themes and its unique genre-bending approach makes it a standout for audiences seeking unconventional and thought-provoking cinema. Its solid box office performance for an A24 film further indicates its appeal to a specific, appreciative audience.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

Despite its strengths, “Death of a Unicorn” has faced criticism for its often inconsistent tone, which can swing wildly between sincere emotional moments, grotesque horror, and biting satire, potentially leaving some viewers disoriented. The film’s deliberate ambiguity and unconventional narrative structure might not appeal to all audiences, particularly those who prefer more straightforward storytelling and clear resolutions. Some critics found that the satirical elements, while present, weren’t always as incisive as they could have been, or that the film sometimes underdelivered on certain promising plot points. The chaotic nature of the third act, while intentional, could be perceived as overwhelming or less focused for some viewers. Additionally, its niche appeal as a genre-bending horror-comedy means it might not resonate with mainstream audiences expecting a more traditional horror or comedy film, contributing to its mixed critical reception.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Death of a Unicorn” is a singularly audacious and memorable film that bravely ventures into uncharted cinematic territory. Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut is a fascinating mix of absurd comedy, chilling horror, and sharp social commentary, all centered around a ridiculously compelling premise. While its wildly fluctuating tone and unconventional narrative may not be for everyone, the film’s originality, strong performances from Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, and a commitment to its bizarre vision make it a unique standout. It’s a film that demands engagement and rewards viewers who are willing to embrace its chaotic charm and dark humor. For those seeking an A24 film that pushes boundaries and defies easy categorization, “Death of a Unicorn” offers a thought-provoking, gruesome, and often hilarious exploration of human greed and the terrifying consequences of disrupting the natural order. It’s a film that will likely inspire strong opinions, cementing its place as a cult classic in the making.

Movie Rating

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