This afternoon, I had the absolute pleasure of taking my nephew and sister to see Death of a Unicorn, the new A24 horror-comedy that hit theaters on March 28, 2025. We decided to make it a memorable outing by dressing up as unicorns—complete with sparkly horns, rainbow capes, and plenty of glitter. Our whimsical costumes set the tone for what turned out to be a wildly entertaining and delightfully absurd cinematic experience that had us laughing, gasping, and cheering together.
Death of a Unicorn, directed by Alex Scharfman, follows Elliot (Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) -my nephew's crush- as they accidentally hit a unicorn while driving to a retreat hosted by Elliot’s billionaire boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). What starts as a tragic mishap quickly spirals into a chaotic blend of dark humor and creature-feature horror when the Leopolds discover the unicorn’s magical healing properties and decide to exploit them—only to face the wrath of the unicorn’s vengeful parents. The premise alone promised a unique ride, and the film delivered in spades.
From the moment the lights dimmed, we were hooked. My nephew, who’s always been fascinated by mythical creatures, was wide-eyed as the unicorn first appeared on screen, its shimmering design both beautiful and eerie. My sister and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of our glittery outfits mirroring the creature’s magical aura—it felt like we were part of the story! The film’s blend of gore and comedy struck just the right balance for us. The unicorn attacks were surprisingly brutal, with purple blood splattering in all directions, but the over-the-top nature of the violence kept it from feeling too heavy. My nephew clapped with glee every time a unicorn horn impaled one of the greedy Leopolds, while my sister and I appreciated the sharp satire aimed at the ultra-wealthy, modeled after real-world figures like the Sackler family.
The cast was a major highlight. Paul Rudd’s everyman charm as the bumbling Elliot grounded the film’s absurdity, while Jenna Ortega’s Ridley brought a heartfelt depth to her role as a grieving daughter with a moral compass. Their father-daughter dynamic was the emotional core of the movie, and we found ourselves rooting for them to survive the unicorn onslaught. Richard E. Grant and Téa Leoni were hilariously over-the-top as the self-centered Leopolds, but it was Will Poulter who stole the show as their obnoxious son, Shep. His comedic timing had us in stitches—my sister whispered to me that his performance alone was worth the price of admission.
What made the experience even more special was how the film resonated with each of us in different ways. My nephew loved the monster movie elements, especially the Jurassic Park-inspired sequences where the unicorns hunted their prey with cunning precision. My sister appreciated the social commentary, noting how the Leopolds’ greed mirrored real-world issues in the pharmaceutical industry. I was impressed by Scharfman’s ability to balance genres, weaving together horror, comedy, and a touching family story without losing momentum. The pacing kept us engaged throughout the 1-hour-47-minute runtime, and the practical effects on the unicorns were a visual treat, even if some of the CGI moments were a bit cartoony.
Dressed as unicorns ourselves, we felt a special connection to the film’s themes of magic and wonder, even as the story took a darker turn. There was something oddly heartwarming about watching Ridley’s bond with the unicorn unfold, a reminder of the purity and beauty these creatures represent in mythology. By the time the credits rolled, we were buzzing with excitement, already planning to rewatch it for its potential as a cult classic. My nephew declared it “the best unicorn movie ever,” and my sister and I agreed that it was a refreshing break from the typical blockbuster fare.
Death of a Unicorn might not be for everyone—its mix of gory violence and satirical humor is definitely niche—but for us, it was a perfect family outing. Our unicorn costumes added an extra layer of fun, and the film’s wild energy matched our own. If you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts hilarious, gruesome, and heartfelt, grab your horn and gallop to the theater. We can’t wait to see it again!
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