When a billionaire tries to monetize a unicorn, the results are predictably bloody
In short: In the 2025 dark fantasy horror Death of a Unicorn, a father and daughter accidentally kill a mythical creature while driving to a billionaire's estate. What follows is a gruesome satire of greed, as the wealthy hosts attempt to exploit the unicorn's miraculous regenerative blood for their own selfish gain.
Directed by Alex Scharfman in his feature debut, Death of a Unicorn follows lawyer Elliot Kintner and his daughter, Ridley, as they travel to the Canadian Rockies. After striking a unicorn with their car, they discover its blood possesses extraordinary healing properties, curing acne, allergies, and even cancer. The estate owner, Odell Leopold, immediately seeks to capitalize on this discovery, enlisting scientists to harvest the creature's horn for intravenous use. The film serves as a biting, if tonally uneven, satire on class and exploitation, drawing thematic inspiration from the famous Unicorn Tapestries.
The narrative escalates when the foal's parents arrive, leading to a violent confrontation that leaves several characters dead. The film explores the intersection of myth and modern avarice, as the Leopolds attempt to treat the unicorn as a commodity rather than a sentient being. While the film features a notable father-daughter dynamic between Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, critics were divided on its execution. Some praised the lead performances for providing emotional grounding, while others, such as Manohla Dargis of The New York Times, felt the satire lacked sufficient bite and failed to land its intended social commentary.
Released theatrically by A24 on March 28, 2025, the film struggled to find its footing at the box office, debuting to $5.8 million and ultimately being labeled a misfire. Reviews were mixed, with a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 51/100 score on Metacritic. Critics frequently cited issues with the film's direction and digital effects, though many acknowledged the entertainment value of its splattery, creature-feature premise. Despite its commercial shortcomings, the film offers a unique, albeit messy, exploration of what happens when the ancient and magical are forced into the cold, clinical machinery of late-stage capitalism.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Death of a Unicorn
- Also: Death of a Unicorn
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