There’s something deliciously unhinged about walking into a film called Death of a Unicorn expecting a bit of indie quirk and coming out questioning your entire reality. I didn’t know whether to laugh, squirm, or take notes for a therapy session. But trust me, it’s exactly that contradiction that makes this offbeat ride worth talking about.
The film comes from A24 — the American indie studio behind Moonlight, Midsommar, and Everything Everywhere All at Once — famed for championing bold, auteur-led storytelling that blurs genre lines and challenges expectations. So when they back a film involving a unicorn and corporate horror, you know you're not getting a typical family fantasy.
The Story Without Spoilers
We begin with a father-daughter duo — Elliot (Paul Rudd) and Ridley (Jenna Ortega) — who accidentally run over a unicorn. Yes, a literal unicorn. Reporting the incident to a billionaire tech CEO (Richard E. Grant) sets off a surreal chain of events involving shady science, corporate greed, and mythological madness.
It’s less about the plot twists and more about the spiralling tone — part satire, part ecological thriller, part absurdist drama. Somehow, it all clicks together just enough to keep you watching, even as the weirdness ramps up.
Director’s Vision: Alex Scharfman’s Surreal Debut
This is Alex Scharfman’s first outing as director, and he doesn’t play it safe. Previously known as a producer (Resurrection, 2022), he dives headfirst into surrealism with stylised pacing, off-kilter transitions, and a disarming mix of whimsy and menace. The visual aesthetic swings between dreamlike wonder and sterile corporate horror — think Wes Anderson meets Black Mirror.
It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t fault the confidence.
Performances That Ground the Madness
Paul Rudd dials down the charm for a more subdued, morally grey turn, which works surprisingly well. His character's quiet complicity is deeply unnerving.
Jenna Ortega, meanwhile, is the film’s heart. Her portrayal of Ridley blends teen cynicism with emotional insight, giving us someone to hold onto as things unravel.
Richard E. Grant plays the eccentric tech billionaire with his trademark theatrical menace — equal parts laughable and terrifying. Supporting players like Tavi Gevinson and Will Poulter (fact-checked via IMDb) round out the satirical ensemble with sharp performances.
(Verified via IMDb: Cast includes Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E. Grant, Tavi Gevinson, and Will Poulter. Directed by Alex Scharfman. IMDb rating currently: 6.8/10.)
Cinematography & Sound: Pastel Nightmares
Ben Mullen’s cinematography uses symmetry and fairy tale colour palettes to disorient the viewer, while Robin Coudert’s score (Maniac) mixes eerie lullabies with pulses of dread. The result is a film that looks like a storybook but feels like a slow-burn fever dream.
Themes & Symbolism: Myth Meets Capitalism
The unicorn — so often a symbol of innocence and purity — becomes the ultimate commodity. The film explores how corporations exploit wonder, how tech culture sanitises the mystical, and how we rationalise harm for gain.
It’s a satire on Silicon Valley, climate apathy, and our modern inability to distinguish progress from destruction. Heavy themes, but delivered with just enough absurd humour to go down smooth.
Budget & Production Notes
While the exact budget hasn’t been disclosed, the film likely sits in A24’s mid-range bracket — estimated around $15–20 million. No major award nominations yet, but there’s early buzz around Ortega’s performance.
Audience Reactions: USA vs. UK
In the US, reactions have been split. Urban, indie-leaning audiences in cities like LA and New York embraced its weirdness, while more mainstream viewers found it too abstract.
UK audiences, however, have responded with more enthusiasm. The dry, absurd humour landed particularly well at the Glasgow Film Festival, where the film received a strong post-screening reception. British critics have praised its bold satire, calling it “bonkers in the best way.”
Final Verdict
Death of a Unicorn is a strange, stylish provocation that’s bound to divide audiences — but that’s the point. It’s not a film for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be.
If you like your satire with a splash of myth and your fantasy served with fangs, don’t miss this. But fair warning — you may leave the cinema scratching your head and grinning at the same time.
Rating: 7.5/10 – A bold, bonkers fairy tale for the eco-apocalypse generation.
