Unicorn Gore and Laughs Galore: Why Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd’s Drama Fizzles in Death Of A Unicorn

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Genre storytelling frequently revolves around repeating familiar themes and motifs, but with fresh twists and settings to distinguish modern works from their predecessors. This approach was crucial for the 2024 horror-thriller “Heretic,” and it seems that Alex Scharfman’s debut, the supernatural comedy-horror movie “Death of a Unicorn,” combines elements reminiscent of both “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and an episode of “The Simpsons” titled “Burger Kings.

Death Of A Unicorn

Launch Date: The movie will be out on March 28, 2025
Behind the Scenes: Alex Scharfman is the one responsible for directing this film
Scriptwriter: Alex Scharfman has also written the screenplay for this movie
Main Cast: Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, and Anthony Carrigan will be featured in this production
Maturity Level: This movie has a rating of R due to its intense violence, graphic content, strong language, and some drug references.
Duration: The total running time for this film is 104 minutes.

Fortunately, although Death of a Unicorn may appear to have some superficial resemblances, it stands uniquely as its own madcap morality story. It combines two families with vastly disparate views on handling an unexpected predicament that could significantly alter human history’s direction. Unfortunately, the family of Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his prickly daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), at times, seems to have been transplanted from a more standardized script when interacting with the extraordinary Leopold family.

In a shift from heart-wrenching father-daughter emotion to biting satire, the eccentric Leopold family, who are oblivious to their excessive wealth, serves as the turning point in “Death of a Unicorn.” It’s during these absurd and violent scenes that Scharfman’s work is most satisfying. However, it’s unfortunate that Elliot and Ridley, who are our main characters, are those we’re expected to support.

Alex Scharfman crafted a brilliantly straightforward premise for Death of a Unicorn that’s weakened by Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd’s characters.

Elliot Kintner, played by Rudd, is a lawyer who seems more adept at handling work-related challenges than engaging in heartfelt discussions with his daughter Ridley (Ortega). It appears that the loss of his wife has further affected his parenting abilities. To give credit where it’s due, Ridley exhibits typical traits of a dramatic teen character on screen, making it challenging for her older father to bond with her.

As a movie buff, I can’t help but appreciate the potential excitement of road trips; however, this particular journey for Elliot and his companion turns out to be more strife than joy as they navigate their way to the opulent estate of Elliot’s boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), whose deteriorating health necessitates a crucial meeting to prevent an impending disaster. It is this critical gathering that consumes Elliot’s thoughts, and it’s during these preoccupied moments that he inadvertently crashes his car into a seemingly living, magical unicorn. In the ensuing chaos, Ridley becomes the epitome of compassion and understanding as she discovers the mystical creature’s glowing horn holds a powerful influence when touched, making her the cornerstone of empathy throughout the unfolding turmoil.

From a passionate filmgoer’s perspective, the mysterious horn unearths unanticipated health advantages that intrigue and captivate the Leopold clan, leading to tension between Elliot and Ridley. Despite their interactions brimming with humorously gruesome instances, their scenes are marred by preventable sitcom-like clashes, many of which could have been easily resolved through a brief, heartfelt conversation. Instead of openly demonstrating his fatherly prowess towards his child, Elliot believes that gaining his boss’s approval is the key to a more financially stable future, a move that theoretically sets him up for greatness in the long run.

If the entire film focused solely on the interactions between Rudd and Ortega, their story might not seem as predictable. However, when the over-the-top antics of the Leopolds are fully revealed, the more significant relationship between Elliot and Ridley becomes obscured – even though the script persists in trying to evoke emotional responses from this aspect.

Will Poulter and Anthony Carrigan are scene-stealing geniuses from start to finish.

How about this: “Shall we introduce you to the Leopolds and their devoted employees? At the helm is Richard E. Grant, bedridden, while his wife Belinda, portrayed by Téa Leoni, appears affectionate but reveals a different side when she isn’t. As for Richard, he skillfully portrays Odell, transitioning from weak and ill to resolute and eloquent as he learns about the health benefits of the unicorn.

However, it’s Shepard, the overindulged and pampered offspring of the couple, who steals the majority of the laughter in “Death of a Unicorn.” Will Poulter delivers an exceptional career performance in this role. Although he doesn’t share his father’s illnesses, Shepard eventually exploits the magical powers of the unicorn horn, amplifying his already inflated ego and self-importance. From his dubious fashion sense to his shrill cries into the night from a hot tub, Poulter’s on-screen moments are consistently comical highlights.

Without a doubt, this film’s comedic brilliance can be attributed in part to Anthony Carrigan, a talented actor known from both “Barry” and “Gotham”. In the hands of a less skilled performer, his character, Griff, the butler at Leopold’s, might have been easily overlooked. However, Carrigan breathes life into this role, making it anything but forgettable. His unwavering devotion to the family is evident, yet it seems to be taking a toll on his mental wellbeing. This tension reaches its peak when mythical creatures like dead unicorns and vengeful tales become part of the storyline.

For each brash and boisterous statement made by Poulter’s Shep, Carrigan’s Griff conveys emotion through his expressive eyes – longing or defeat – and it speaks volumes to his talent that he elicits just as many big laughs as others do with less dialogue.

Both the film’s fantasy mythology and unicorn CGI veer between successfully captivating and awkwardly lacking.

As a fan, I must express my admiration for how Alex Scharfman’s work, titled “Death of a Unicorn,” could have been just a short film if the antagonistic family had successfully exploited the unicorn’s horn benefits without any resistance. What makes this piece truly captivating is the way Scharfman skillfully weaves real-world mythologies into the story, giving the unicorn its own compelling narrative within the movie. Ridley, in her quest to understand and leverage these legends, puts forth a valiant effort to rally support from everyone, but unfortunately, her endeavors fall short.

Although the new lore adds an interesting angle, the historical backdrop seems oversimplified, leaving Ridley with limited resources to effectively convey her message. Frankly, even I might have been skeptical, and given that I’m aware she’s portraying a cinematic truth, it’s hard to fully trust it.

The film’s CGI unicorns can evoke both awe and frustration. In close-ups, they are truly spectacular, particularly when the movie’s eerie atmosphere intensifies and their menacing teeth become visible. However, the magic falters in broader scenes, where these colossal creatures seem to gallop with movements that appear artificial and lack substance within the environment.

In spite of any drawbacks related to storytelling or visual aspects, I must admit that “Death of a Unicorn” has been an overwhelming success when it comes to its horror-comedy aspects. The humor is witty and abundant, while the gore is both gruesome and skillfully executed, frequently occurring within the same scenes.

As a movie critic, I can confidently say that Alex Scharfman has demonstrated his knack for crafting memorable, gory masterpieces, leaving me eager to see what he will bring to the table in future projects. Here’s hoping that he gets another chance to work with an equally impressive ensemble of actors. If not everyone is available, let’s make sure Will Poulter and Anthony Carrigan are at the top of the list for the next collaboration.

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2025-03-27 01:38