“Death of a Unicorn” (2025) answers the question how would human beings act if unicorns were real. Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd), an attorney for Leopold Labortories, a pharmaceutical company, brings his daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), to the Leopolds’ lodge, which is in the middle of a nature preserve. During the drive, distracted dad hits an animal, a baby unicorn. Thinking that the creature died, they stuff it in their trunk and plan to bury it later, but when it resurrects, it attracts the Leopold family’s attention, who see an opportunity in its mystical powers. Will Elliot figure out what his daughter needs from him? It is Paul Rudd. What do you think?
Casting Rudd is a brilliant choice because otherwise Elliot would be a wholly unsympathetic character, and people would want him dead. The introduction scene perfectly encapsulates the way that Elliot navigates the world. If he must choose between his daughter and love versus his career and business, he does not care who gets hurt, including his daughter, he will pick the latter. This point may get hammered home one too many times, so the redemption arc feels more into a dash. His encounter with a folklore creature is further proof that nothing will shake him out of his grim determination to kiss his boss’ ass. The obsequious and ruthless willingness to have zero inner compass makes him a thoroughly unlikeable character, and if the point was not to mend the father daughter relationship, first time feature writer and director Alex Scharfman punked out when he did not kill Elliot.
How old is Ortega supposed to be in “Death of a Unicorn?” Younger than twenty-one and old enough to vape. Ortega is innately likeable because she is a seasoned horror actor. Ridley is the only one who sticks to her guns and tries to convince everyone to make different choices. Being the best smelling person in a dumpster is not an accomplishment and nearing the denouement, she shows her resemblance to her dad when her life is on the line, but her bluntness and overall adherence to surrender to the fantastic and willingness to reshuffle her life are qualities that no one else possesses or heeds. Just call her Cassie, short for Cassandra.
If there were no unicorns, watching the Leopold family would still be a vicarious delight. Richard E. Grant is a guarantee of excellence. As Odell, the patriarch and head of the biz, he is the kind of affluent man who learns every facet of spiritual faiths in hopes of lessening his fear of anything greater than himself through intellectualization, but after his first brush with the magical, he snaps back to the man who got that fortune. He has devoted all his resources to find the fountain of life, and all this time, it was living and breathing on his property. (Theory: the unicorns never emerged before because no one like Ridley ever visited). It is a delight to see Téa Leoni after all these years as the slick, fast talking wife, Belinda, who helped build the business, adores her family and no one else. She looks fabulous and makes comedy seem effortless when it is the most difficult genre of acting. Also points to Belinda who actually got some good licks in when facing off against the unicorn. Will Poulter has always been deft at playing villains, but as the spoiled son, Shepard, he shows his range and delivers a seamless comedic performance as he should since he gets some of the best lines. Unlike the father and daughter, the mother and son actually love each other.
If there was ever a sidequel, Griff (Anthony Carrigan), the Leopolds’ butler, would be well worth the watch. He is doing a job well, but aware and infuriated at the quotidian indignities that he suffers. The personal assistant/security person, Shaw (Jessica Hynes), does not get much screentime, but she seems unflappable and tough, which are the precise elements needed in a situation like this one, but still ultimately dependable. The scientists, Dr. Song (Steve Park) and Dr. Bhatia (Sunita Mani), may remind avid moviegoers of the scientists in “Mickey 17” (2025) for sacrificing their empathy for work, which makes them oblivious to their safety or ethics.
How is the titular creature? The CGI is not great for the baby, but it is the thought that counts, and a lot of its physical and mystical features adhere to the folklore. It is always a treat when a horror movie decides to dip into unfamiliar mythology, and the average person is not swimming in unicorn legends. Let’s hope that “Death of a Unicorn” becomes a gateway drug for masses of people to visit The Cloisters and see “The Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries. It was great to watch, and a unicorn remains beautiful even vicious. Imagine a Clydesdale horse meets a wolf with some goat and donkey features. Watching a unicorn butcher people was satisfying, but a little more carnage would have been fun. Much respect to refusing to be tamed, but that baby should have been more pissed with everyone if it still had a memory. Even though an animal gets hurt, knowing that they will not stay dead and get back at everyone makes it easier to stomach.
If you watched “Locked” (2025) and found the philosophical debate between a rich sociopath and a tender-hearted thief annoying, you will not be let down with “Death of a Unicorn.” It nailed the power dynamic, and how the ones with the upper hand got there and stayed there. They are good at rationalizing so even though their motives are doubted, they still find ways to get people to go along with them. There is a great scene where Griff hopes for some solidarity from a fellow Leopold employee, but class wins out and as the lowest rung on the ladder, he is on his own. It explains why he has the best instinct for self-preservation and manages to avoid attracting the unicorn’s attention. It rarely occurs to anyone that they could just say no to the family. Still Scharfman never let the message leech the fun out of the movie. It is a divine monster movie first, and everything else is gravy.
If you want an entertaining horror movie with lots of laughs, classic sci fi and horror homages, gorgeous grounds and a winning ensemble cast, “Death of a Unicorn” is the movie for you. It goes on a little long. There is no elaboration on the lights in the sky. Parts of the ending feel unearned or at least undeserved. It is unclear which country/state the story is supposed to be set. Still a movie does not have to be perfect, it just has to deliver on what it promised, which it does.
