Death of a Unicorn
Death of a Unicorn is a 2025 American dark fantasy comedy horror film written and directed by Alex Scharfman in his feature directorial debut.
Death of a Unicorn is a 2025 American dark fantasy comedy horror film directed by Alex Scharfman in his feature debut, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father and daughter who accidentally kill a unicorn and face exploitation by a billionaire pharmaceutical family.
What it is
The film follows Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), who accidentally strike a unicorn while driving to a retreat. The creature's body possesses regenerative and curative properties, drawing the attention of a wealthy pharmaceutical family that tries to exploit it for profit. The cast also includes Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant.
Key details
Alex Scharfman wrote and directed the film as his first feature. It premiered at South by Southwest in March 2025 and was released theatrically in the United States on March 28, 2025, by A24. The film blends horror, fantasy, satire, and comedy, with reviews ranging from mixed to negative on how well it balances those elements.
Why it matters
The film is a notable entry in A24's slate, combining monster horror with social satire about corporate greed. Some coverage mentions a retreat at a remote estate in Canada, which may interest Canadian audiences, though the film is an American production.
In short
- Father and daughter accidentally kill a unicorn, leading to exploitation by a pharmaceutical family.
- Directed by Alex Scharfman in his feature debut, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega.
- Released by A24 in March 2025 after a South by Southwest premiere.
- Blends dark fantasy, comedy horror, and satire of wealth and corporate power.
The film’s premise includes a retreat at a remote estate in Canada in some coverage, which may be of interest to Canadian audiences, though the film itself is an American production.[12]
Quick questions
What is Death of a Unicorn about?
Who directed Death of a Unicorn?
When was Death of a Unicorn released?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_UnicornSupports: Basic film identity, year, director, cast, and premise.
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_of_a_unicornSupports: Synopsis, genre, release date, runtime, and content rating.
- The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/09/death-of-a-unicorn-reviewSupports: Festival premiere timing, U.S. and U.K. release dates, and critical framing.
- Deadline — https://deadline.com/2025/03/death-of-a-unicorn-review-jenna-ortega-sxsw-1236306101/Supports: Director, cast, distributor, SXSW premiere, and plot details.
- Filmdienst — https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/624543/death-of-a-unicornSupports: Plot summary and critical description of the film's genre mix.