Phil Roberts 
Death of a Unicorn is an absolute riot. Led brilliantly by Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and the scene-stealing Will Poulter, the film is a blast.
With a title like Death of a Unicorn, you’d be forgiven for thinking the film was a bizarre meth dream concocted by an imaginative mind left to run wild…and you’d be dead right. The film, led by the unconquerable Paul Rudd and the always-reliable Jenna Ortega, is rampaging into cinemas this week. Written and directed by Alex Scharfman, the film follows a father and daughter duo who inadvertently run over a unicorn with their rental car. However, instead of reporting the collision, they load the carcass in their vehicle and resume their journey.
Their lack of care for the creature enrages the spirit of the species, and a string of vengeful unicorns emerge from the depths of hell on a quest for vengeance. Throw in a string of gory kills, some Jurassic Park-inspired scares, and some juicy nods to other movies, and you’ve got your end result. But is this delightfully barmy storyline, coupled with its all-star ensemble cast, enough to make the film a winner? Or should Death of a Unicorn remain roadkill?
REVIEW
Don’t worry, film fans! Death of a Unicorn is an absolute delight. The film is an absolute blast with standout performances from Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and the scene-stealing Will Poulter. Although it has some questionable CGI, it’s a polished, gory gem of a comedy that captures the spirit of Jurassic Park. It’s a perfect pick for a Friday night popcorn movie!
While the film has an ethical undertone at its heart, it works as a black comedy. Scharfman’s witty and sharp screenplay keeps the ironic humor coming, keeping the vibe light, while the gore-fest gives horror fans everything they could want. At first, the CGI used to craft the Unicorns can seem a bit off and cartoonish, but it fits the film’s style pretty well as the movie progresses. It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but I had a blast with this film.
THE PLOT
As I mentioned at the top of the review, the film’s plot is relatively simple. Paul Rudd plays a less-than-perfect father who is ready to do whatever it takes to take care of his daughter. As a single dad, he’s made a living as a lawyer to give his daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), the best shot at life. However, like many films of this nature, it shifts its focus to the rocky relationship between the two characters. Ridley feels that he has abandoned her in his pursuit of success, pushing her to the periphery of his life. In contrast, Elliot (Rudd) strives to ensure that she is comfortable and wants for nothing. It is this quest for security that propels the adventure we are about to witness.
Although their relationship is strained, Ridley agrees to accompany Elliot to his client’s house, which is located on a nature reserve. However, the trip descends into chaos when they collide with a unicorn on the highway.
THE LEOPOLD FAMILY
After collecting the animal and storing its body in their rental vehicle, Rudd and Ortega meet the Leopold family. Richard E. Grant portrays Odell, the ailing patriarch, while Téa Leoni stars as his young wife, Belinda. The family also includes the scene-stealing Will Poulter, who delivers a standout performance as their pretentious son, Shepard.
The film then unfolds on two fronts: one explores the strained relationship between a father and daughter. At the same time, the other highlights Elliot’s efforts to ingratiate himself with the Leopolds in order to secure a life-changing contract. But it is when the family discovers that the Unicorn carcass holds remarkable healing qualities that the proverbial crap hits the fan. Both storylines quickly converge when the vengeful spirits of unicorns emerge to exact their revenge, and anyone benefitting from the creature’s regenerative gifts is a target.
JURASSIC PARK…WITH UNICORNS
From here, the film settles into a classic survival story on par with Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece. We have the Leopolds, who will stop at nothing to retain control of the carcass while Elliot and Ridley get dragged into the turmoil. All the while, every household member, including the service staff, falls prey to the savage, bloodthirsty unicorns. Boasting all the hallmarks of The Lost World Jurassic Park, the film quickly descends into an enjoyable slaughterfest. If you’re here for people getting gored by Unicorn horns, you’ve certainly come to the right place. These beasts are out for blood, and they mean business.
These monstrous creatures sometimes chew the scenery like the twin Tyrannosaurs from Spielberg’s sequel. They even mimic many of their mannerisms and actions. It’s fair to say that Alex Scharfman is a massive fan of Spielberg, and it shows. This tribute never feels forced or detrimental to the film; however, those familiar with the Jurassic franchise will recognize the telltale signs of its DNA woven throughout its runtime.
THE CAST
Although many of the CGI shots of the Unicorns leave a lot to be desired, the stars of the film more than makeup for its failings. The film serves as another vehicle for Jenna Ortega‘s stock to rise, although I’d like to see her spread her wings and break free of the safe teenage role once in a while. Here, she performs admirably, but after a while, she settles into the role and is outshined by her co-stars. Paul Rudd consistently delivers an outstanding performance as Elliot. The juxtaposition of his role as a parent and a sleazy lawyer is a joy to watch, and as the film unfolds, he grows into the role with zeal.
Richard E. Grant delivers a noteworthy performance as Odell, the dying patriarch. Although he has less screen time than I would prefer, he showcases another masterclass as the vile tycoon. Tea Leoni, on the other hand, provides a steady and experienced presence. Unfortunately, like Ortega, she tends to fade into the background after a while. However, Scharfman compensates for this by giving her some of the best lines in the film, which more than makes up for any disappointment.
Anthony Carrigan nearly steals the show as Griff, the family butler, making a strong case for Best Supporting Actor of the Year. Like Leoni, Carrigan is given a series of witty lines that will leave the audience grinning from ear to ear. He truly showcases his talent in this role, deserving all the recognition he receives. Although his role is brief, it is undeniably memorable.
WILL POULTER
And finally, we move on to the true star of this film: Will Poulter. The actor has been flexing his muscles lately with a string of diverse roles that really showcase his seemingly endless talent. And here, he delivers a masterclass. As Shepard Leopold, Poulter has found a diamond in the rough. This character is written as a clueless, spoilt, trust fund freeloader and effortlessly slips into the villain role. Here, he oozes loathsome antics that are as despicable as they are hilarious. At times, we despise him, while at others, we fall under his seductive spell as his witless innocence casts his wicked spell.
Writer-director Alex Scharfman deserves credit for creating such an intricate character. Not many actors could pull off this role, but with his innocent charm, Will Poulter delivers an outstanding performance. Like many of his co-stars, Shepard is given some of the most slick and sharp dialogue the film has to offer. At times, his delivery strikes a deep chord with the audience, while at others, he draws us in with his boyish charm. It’s a challenging balance to achieve, but Poulter, along with the brilliant writing from Scharfman, has created a character for the ages.
VERDICT
Overall, Death of a Unicorn is a fun watch. Although many of the tropes and iconography used to bring the film to life have been used many times before, Alex Scharfman presents them in a fresh new light. The screenplay is witty, punchy, and sharp, while the brilliant ensemble cast brings some of the most memorable characters in recent years to life in all their glory. Additionally, the haunting score by Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco creates an atmosphere full of dread and foreboding that is on par with John Carpenter’s best.
The CGI may not be the best, but it doesn’t take away from what is otherwise a perfectly enjoyable and gruesome Friday night popcorn movie. A24 has a history of giving emerging directors a platform to showcase their talents, and in this case, Scharfman delivers on that promise. The director has crafted a fun rollercoaster ride that checks all the right boxes. So, go ahead and book a ticket to enjoy the experience. It might not win any Oscars, but the film is definitely a hit.
Just one piece of advice: never hit a unicorn with your car… trust me!
Death of a Unicorn brings the fantasy to life in cinemas from Friday.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
