Death of a Unicorn is an upcoming American comedy horror film slated for release on March 28, 2025. Directed and written by Alex Scharfman in his feature directorial debut, the movie stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father-daughter duo, Elliot and Riley Kintner. Their journey takes a dark turn when they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat hosted by Elliot’s employer, billionaire pharmaceutical CEO Odell Leopold, portrayed by Richard E. Grant. The plot thickens as the Leopolds aim to exploit the unicorn’s miraculous curative properties, leading to unforeseen and perilous consequences.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alex Scharfman |
| Written by | Alex Scharfman |
| Produced by | Ari Aster, Lucas Joaquin, Tyler Campellone, Drew Houpt, Lars Knudsen, Alex Scharfman, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page |
| Starring | Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant |
| Cinematography | Larry Fong |
| Edited by | Ron Dulin |
| Music by | Dan Romer, Giosuè Greco |
| Production companies | Secret Engine, Monoceros Media, Square Peg, The Royal Budapest Film Co, Ley Line Entertainment |
| Distributed by | A24 |
| Release dates | March 8, 2025 (SXSW), March 28, 2025 (United States) |
| Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot/ Story
Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter, Riley (Jenna Ortega), embark on a road trip to attend a weekend retreat hosted by way of Elliot’s employer, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), a powerful pharmaceutical tycoon. However, their journey takes a bizarre and darkish turn when they by accident hit and kill a unicorn whilst driving through a faraway area.
Shocked via the creature’s existence, they transport its body to the retreat, only to find out that the unicorn possesses staggering recovery properties. Odell, along with his eccentric and morally dubious family including his son, Shepard Leopold (Will Poulter), and wife, Belinda Leopold (Téa Leoni) sees an chance to make the most the unicorn’s remains for scientific and economic gain.
As the Leopolds begin experimenting with the unicorn’s body, strange and ominous activities unfold. The supernatural creature may also not be as dead as it seems, and its presence starts offevolved to unleash chaos, main to horrifying consequences for those attempting to earnings from it. Riley, realizing the darkish implications of their discovery, have to navigate a deadly game of greed, corporate corruption, and supernatural forces to guard herself and her father.
The movie blends horror and dark comedy, providing a satirical take on corporate exploitation, scientific ethics, and the penalties of tampering with nature’s mysteries.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Rudd | Elliot Kintner |
| Jenna Ortega | Riley Kintner |
| Will Poulter | Shepard Leopold |
| Téa Leoni | Belinda Leopold |
| Richard E. Grant | Odell Leopold |
| Anthony Carrigan | Griff |
| Sunita Mani | Dr. Bhatia |
Reviews
Death of a Unicorn, directed by Alex Scharfman and produced by A24, has garnered mixed reviews following its premiere at the SXSW Film Festival. The film, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father-daughter duo entangled with a billionaire family after a unicorn encounter, blends horror and comedy in its narrative.
Critics have praised the ensemble cast for their performances. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com highlighted the casting, stating that the film “completely nails every role,” and commended the actors for elevating the material through their “comic timing and group chemistry.
However, some reviews point to shortcomings in the film’s execution. Vulture’s review criticized the film for lacking freshness, noting that despite its promising premise and strong cast, the narrative “drags out predictable scenarios and lacks freshness, with repetitive jokes that quickly lose their impact.
