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A24’s ‘The Death of a Unicorn’ may not have quite hit the mark at the box office and left critics divided, but beneath the critics is a film with real emotional depth. What could’ve been a hollow satire about mythical creatures and corporate greed instead evolves into a surprisingly grounded and emotional narrative, thanks to the dynamic duo of Jenna Ortega (acclaimed for her role as Wednesday Addams) and Paul Rudd (acclaimed for his role as Ant Man). It’s weird, yes. Tonally chaotic? Sure. But it’s the layers of surreal visuals, dark comedy, and satire that make it a genuinely emotional film about a father and daughter. And that’s what makes it work — or at least, what made it work for me.
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Chaos, Unicorns, and Billionaires
Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut introduces Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd), a mild-mannered corporate lawyer, and his college-aged daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), who is reluctantly accompanying her father to a mountain retreat hosted by his enigmatic boss, billionaire Odell Leopold.
The retreat takes a turn for the worse when the Kintners accidentally hit a baby unicorn with their rental car, setting the stage for a wild, yet emotionally complex journey.
The unicorn is more than just a magical bystander. It evolves into a sharp metaphor for greed, desperation and the pharmaceutical industry’s darker impulses.
What initially appears to be an offbeat fantasy story takes on a deeper meaning, becoming a critique of corporate excess and exploitation.
While ‘Death of a Unicorn’ presents an interesting plot that dives into the dysfunction of the ultra-rich, its blending of fantasy, dark comedy and horror can be a tricky combination to pull off.
It’s a delicate balancing act that films often struggle to maintain seamlessly, especially when appealing to a wider audience.
It’s not that the film fails on all fronts—far from it. The direction, writing, and acting, particularly from Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, are strong.
The film succeeds in delivering a fresh tonal approach that sets it apart from other genre films.
However, combining these genres in a way that engages the audience without losing them in its conceptual oddities can be a tough sell.
The struggle to connect with audiences in the world of mythical creatures and dark humor is not a new one.
Take ‘Harry Potter’, for example. I can only name a handful of people who have negative things to say (then again, that’s just based on my very small circle of friends).
The franchise elevates mythical creatures to a whole new level, one that feels believable. It allows you to look past the fantasy elements and truly immerse yourself in a world that feels real.
‘Maleficent’ has a similar feel. Both of these movies easily could have taken a different path.
Then there’s ‘The Mortal Instruments’, which didn’t perform well at the box office. Some found it too quirky, unbelievable or cheesy, while others enjoyed its fantasy elements, even if it didn’t resonate with a broader audience.
In ‘Death of a Unicorn’, the central performances elevate the material. Rudd and Ortega bring vulnerability, depth, and chemistry to their roles, which makes the film’s most absurd moments feel surprisingly grounded.
This emotional weight is what ultimately saves the film from losing its audience entirely amidst its surreal narrative.
While the movie might not be a box-office smash, it’s a unique ride that is able to land more than it misses. It’s the kind of film that could easily have been dismissed as too weird or too niche, but thanks to the right casting choices and an unapologetically bold approach, it’s one worth watching.
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How Paul Rudd Sparked the Film’s Idea, and Jenna Ortega Brought It to Life
Jenna Ortega was cast in ‘Death of a Unicorn’ just before her career took off with Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’.
As director Alex Scharfman told The Hollywood Reporter, the script was sent to her the weekend before ‘Wednesday’ premiered in November 2022.
Turns out, it was perfect timing.
Scharfman called the role incredibly challenging and explained how fortunate they were to cast Ortega before her schedule became unassailable: “So I don’t know what we would’ve done if we didn’t get Jenna. It’s such a hard role, and she does such an incredible job with it.”
The relationship that started the project, however, actually began with Paul Rudd.
Through their shared manager, Rudd read one of Scharfman’s earlier scripts and suggested the idea of writing something specifically with him in mind.
That something became ‘Death of a Unicorn’—a bizarre, heartfelt creature feature that wouldn’t work without the right cast. They needed that one final puzzle piece—and that’s exactly what Ortega was to the film: the perfect fit.
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Why It Worked for Me (Even if It Didn’t for Critics)
Sure, the plot loses some momentum midway, and there are moments where it feels as if the film is reaching for the surreal just a bit too much. Yet, the central emotional stakes between father and daughter help ground the chaos, even when the narrative almost begins to spiral.
It actually surprised me.
It won’t land with everyone, but there’s something strangely touching about how far it dares to go.
‘Death of a Unicorn’ may have stumbled at the box office, but I’d argue it’s a sleeper hit waiting for the right audience to find it.
And give it up for Scharfman’s directorial debut. As much as I may critique, I certainly admire the challenge of bringing a vision like this to life. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the watch.
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A24’s Upcoming Films
With the live-action ‘Minecraft’ movie now in theaters—’A Minecraft Movie’, starring Jennifer Coolidge, Emma Myers, Jason Momoa, and Jack Black—A24 continues to push the boundaries of genre storytelling.
On the horizon is ‘Marty Supreme’, starring Timothée Chalamet, hitting theaters this December, and ‘Warfare’, featuring Will Poulter (also featured in ‘Death of a Unicorn’), Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, and a star-studded cast.
Not every experiment will land, but when they do, they redefine what indie cinema can be.
So no, ‘Death of a Unicorn’ might not be A24’s next cult classic. But it’s a worthwhile addition to their ever-growing library of strange, indie, bold, and emotionally resonant films. Director Alex Scharfman brings a creative vision and an offbeat charm that makes this story stand out. And with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega leading the charge, it’s a movie worth watching.
Now in Theaters
DIRECTOR: Alex Scharfman
CAST: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant
By Emma Gladstone
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Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
