Death of a Unicorn: A Darkly Comic Monster Movie for the Age of Corporate Greed, Skip It or See It Review.
In an era where A24 has become synonymous with elevated genre films that blend social commentary with inventive storytelling, Alex Scharfman's directorial debut "Death of a Unicorn" stands as one of their most entertaining and accessible offerings yet. This darkly comic creature feature starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega delivers a perfect blend of 80s-style monster movie nostalgia, biting corporate satire, and surprisingly thrilling horror sequences.
When Mythical Meets Mercenary
"Death of a Unicorn" follows Elliot Kintner (Rudd), a recently widowed attorney, and his college-aged daughter Ridley (Ortega) as they embark on what should be a routine trip to the Canadian Rockies retreat of Elliot's employers - the Leopold family, a wealthy pharmaceutical dynasty headed by the terminally ill Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). When father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn with their rental car en route, what begins as a tragic accident quickly spirals into a morally bankrupt business opportunity as the Leopolds discover the creature's horn possesses miraculous healing properties.
The film's premise sounds absurd on paper, but Scharfman (who both wrote and directed) grounds the fantasy in a reality that feels uncomfortably familiar. Just as the unicorns in his film aren't the rainbow-farting creatures of children's imagination but rather fearsome prehistoric beasts with talons and predatory instincts, the film's human villains aren't cartoonish baddies but disturbingly recognizable affluent elites whose mercenary approach to both nature and humanity feels ripped from today's headlines.
A Cast That Delivers
Rudd brings his trademark charisma to Elliot, a fundamentally decent man whose ambition and desperation lead him down an increasingly questionable path. As Ridley, Ortega delivers a performance that confirms her status as one of Hollywood's most captivating young talents. After touching the dying unicorn's horn, Ridley experiences cosmic visions that connect her to these ancient creatures, and Ortega perfectly embodies the character's growing horror as she realizes what the Leopolds intend to do.
The supporting cast shines equally bright. Grant is deliciously cold as Odell Leopold, bringing a sinister charm to a character who represents pharmaceutical greed at its most blatant. Téa Leoni brings unexpected depth to Belinda Leopold, making her simultaneously comedic and tragic. Will Poulter steals scenes as the entitled, cocktail-mixing son Shepard, while Jessica Hynes rounds out the Leopold family as the practical Shaw.
Visual Feast with a Message
Visually, "Death of a Unicorn" is a sumptuous treat. Cinematographer Larry Fong creates a rich visual palette that contrasts the austere wilderness with the Leopolds' obscenely opulent retreat. Production designer Amy Williams has crafted a world that feels both tactile and symbolic, with the sprawling estate serving as a perfect metaphor for the way the ultra-wealthy attempt to contain and commodify nature.
The unicorns themselves deserve special mention. Far from the pristine white horses of fairy tales, these creatures are formidable and ancient, designed with attention to mythological accuracy rather than modern pop culture interpretations. The film blends practical effects with CGI to create monsters that feel genuinely threatening, particularly when they begin their inevitable rampage through the Leopold compound.
A Timely Commentary
What elevates "Death of a Unicorn" above simple genre entertainment is its sharp satirical edge. In an age where pharmaceutical companies profit from human suffering and billionaires engage in performative philanthropy while expanding their empires, the film's commentary on capitalism's commodification of everything - even magic - feels particularly biting.
The Leopold family's immediate instinct to harvest and monetize the unicorn's healing properties rather than marvel at the discovery of a mythical creature speaks volumes about our societal values. As Ridley points out during a pivotal scene, "They're not seeing a miracle - they're seeing a patent."
Final Verdict
"Death of a Unicorn" manages the difficult trick of being simultaneously entertaining and thought-provoking. The premise alone is worth the price of admission—a perfect blend of whimsical horror that feels refreshingly original in today's cinematic landscape. At a brisk 104 minutes, the film doesn't overstay its welcome, making it a perfectly paced experience that respects the audience's time.
If there's a shortcoming, it's that some of the supporting characters could benefit from more development. While Rudd and Ortega's father-daughter dynamic forms the emotional core of the story, characters like Belinda and Shepard Leopold have fascinating potential that isn't fully explored. Nevertheless, the limited runtime is ultimately a strength, keeping the narrative focused and energetic.
Scharfman's debut announces him as a filmmaker to watch, one who understands that the best fantasy and horror has always been a vessel for examining real-world anxieties. In making unicorns terrifying again and billionaires even more so, he's crafted one of the year's most unexpected and satisfying thrill rides.
This is definitely a film worth seeing if the premise catches your eye—and for most viewers, how could it not? A darkly comic tale of unicorn revenge against pharmaceutical oligarchs is exactly the kind of original storytelling we need more of in theaters.
I think you should totally SEE IT!
Death of a Unicorn opens in theaters nationwide on March 28th