Critics Have Seen Death Of A Unicorn, And They Agree On The Most Magical Element In A24’s Bloody Horror-Comedy

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You can rely on the A24 film schedule to deliver movies with distinctive ideas and eerie scenarios, as demonstrated by their top horror films. The upcoming release in their 2025 lineup appears to meet these criteria, as the horror-comedy titled “Death of a Unicorn” will premiere on the big screen on March 28. Critics have had an early peek at the film, and they concur that the cast is the most enchanting aspect of Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut.

In the film, Paul Rudd portrays Elliot, while Jenna Ortega plays his daughter Ridley. Their leisurely weekend excursion to Elliot’s boss’ mansion takes an unexpected turn when they appear to have struck and possibly killed a mythical unicorn. However, things take a violent turn when wealthy pharmaceutical tycoons attempt to capitalize on the creature’s magical abilities. In TopMob’s review of “Death of a Unicorn“, Nick Venable voices some criticisms but praises the scene-stealing Leopolds (notably Will Poulter and Anthony Carrigan’s characters) for making up for them. He awards the movie 4 out of 5 stars, commenting:

Elliot, played by Paul Rudd, and his daughter Ridley, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, enjoy a weekend getaway to their boss’ estate. However, things take an unexpected turn when they hit a unicorn (possibly killing it), and wealthy pharmaceutical businessmen try to exploit the creature’s magic for profit. Despite some criticisms from Nick Venable in his review for TopMob, he still gives the movie 4 out of 5 stars, noting that the characters played by Will Poulter and Anthony Carrigan stood out as particularly memorable.

Regardless of any shortcomings in storyline or visual presentation, Death of a Unicorn stands out as remarkably popular when focusing on its horror-comedy aspects. The humor is witty and abundant, while the gore is expertly done and off-putting, frequently occurring within the same scenes.

According to Mae Abdulbaki from ScreenRant, Will Poulter is fantastic in “Death of a Unicorn,” stealing the spotlight with his performance that’s enjoyable at every turn. The film doesn’t delve too deeply into its heavier themes, but the cast harmonizes effectively. Abdulbaki awards this audience-friendly movie 7 out of 10 points and concludes her review by saying:

“Death of a Unicorn is an engaging watch, with Will Poulter’s standout performance stealing the show.

This movie emphasizes humor and gruesome scenes above all else, and humor is indeed one of its strongest points. However, it tends to be too humor-laden, leaving less space for deeper character connections. Nevertheless, Death of a Unicorn is highly enjoyable. It’s quirky and slightly absurd (in a good way), boasting an engaging plotline, eccentric character interactions, and a climax that leaves you satisfied. The creature designs are outstanding, and the close-ups of the unicorns were awe-inspiring. They are both majestic and terrifying at the same time.

According to Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com, the movie “Death of a Unicorn” received 3 out of 4 stars. He points out that it carries the feel of “Jurassic Park“. Despite some shortcomings in its exploration of grief and greed, and somewhat rough CGI effects, Tallerico commends the strong performances. As the movie transitions into a slasher genre, any visual imperfections seem insignificant to him. In his review, he adds:

As a fan myself, I must say that each actor in this film’s cast nailed their roles, transforming what could have been just another generic Jurassic Park spin-off into an unforgettable gem. From Téa Leoni’s knack for delivering a perfect punchline to Richard E. Grant’s infectious enthusiasm, and Anthony Carrigan’s subtle yet powerful expressions, watching this talented ensemble bring their characters to life in Death of a Unicorn is pure pleasure. This movie harks back to the monster films of the ’70s and ’80s, with its gruesome, high-quality kill scenes woven into a rich tapestry of social commentary and humorously crafted characters.

Despite some critics’ appreciation for the cast’s endeavors, not everyone believes they are sufficient to make the production successful. Jacob Oller from AV Club grades it as a C+, stating that there’s a bit of grisly amusement to enjoy, but it falters in its attempts to create a bond between Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd’s characters. In his review, Oller comments:

[In the movie], there’s an opportunity for a compelling connection between [Jenna Ortega] and [Paul Rudd]. However, this potential is not fully realized in the film.

The movie still has too much unnecessary dialogue, and Ortega’s character is underdeveloped. Rudd also seems out of place as he fails to portray the required sliminess for his role. He appears miscast compared to other actors who relish their villainous parts, particularly Poulter, who steals the show with his casual declarations. Anthony Carrigan, playing Barry’s down-to-earth butler, delivers a standout performance by rolling his eyes, but there’s not much focus on class issues. This mindless movie has a dull plot, but it does feature rich jerks being killed off by vicious, horned unicorns.

the movie is entertaining, but it’s less than the total of its individual elements.

A strong ensemble brings life to a story struggling to find its identity, juggling themes like corporate greed, dark humor, and family dynamics. However, Death of a Unicorn tends to present these elements separately instead of seamlessly blending them together.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the new Jenna Ortega film, and from what I’ve seen so far, it delivers some thrilling kills and laughter-inducing performances. However, the movie falls short in various areas. The plot could have been more fully realized, and the CGI, at times, leaves something to be desired. Moreover, the portrayal of the father-daughter relationship seems to miss its intended emotional resonance. This ambivalence is reflected in the film’s rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where it currently holds a 59% approval rating on the Tomatometer.

Even if some people have unfavorable opinions about the movie “Death of a Unicorn,” it’s still worth giving it a watch. Most reviews I’ve seen highly commend Will Poulter and Anthony Carrigan for their standout performances in an exceptional ensemble cast. So, make up your own mind when this A24 film premieres in theaters on Friday, March 28.

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2025-03-27 16:38