Death of a Unicorn

by

In the movie “Death of a Unicorn,” the antagonists seem unsettlingly authentic, representing modern high-tech capitalists who believe they can transform the world, but in reality, they’re causing destruction. Characters portrayed by Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant might bring to mind individuals like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, or Elizabeth Holmes. Similar to those promoting cryptocurrency or artificial intelligence, these characters aim to amass wealth from something that, in our real world, doesn’t truly exist – a mythical unicorn horn. During an interview with MovieWeb, Richard E. Grant expanded on this theme.

Grant remarked about the antagonists in the movie (and tech moguls and oligarchs alike), “They genuinely believe they’re doing something noble, not wrong. They see themselves as saviors, curing global problems with their unicorn-born solutions. To them, it’s a fantastic goal – even though unicorns aren’t real. It’s like digital currency; it’s an invention… and nature will ultimately wipe us out due to it.

Actors frequently express that there’s nothing more enjoyable than portraying a genuine villain, which Téa Leoni agreed with emphatically. “To be honest, I don’t think there’s anything more entertaining than bringing an evil character to life. It truly is!” said Leoni. “I believe part of the appeal lies in fully immersing yourself into this role and genuinely believing it. The thrill comes from standing firm, not understanding the humor at all. I’ve played some wicked witches, but Belinda…

“So is Belinda like Melania at all?” asked Grant with a smile. Leoni added:

They don’t merely lack the conviction that they are acting improperly. What’s appalling is their conviction that they are, in fact, performing some commendable action.

Will Poulter on Unicorns & ‘Warfare’

In a praiseworthy turn, Will Poulter, known for his role as the son of a pharmaceutical CEO, has been acclaimed for his side-splitting portrayal of an evil character. Cinema Blend remarks that this performance by the actor from “Son of Rambow” is among their favorites, and it significantly enhanced my pleasure of this contemporary fantasy adaptation. Poulter himself acknowledged the importance of villains in these roles.

The characters in this story genuinely believe their own deceitful actions and even indulge in them themselves. It’s been interesting not to pass judgment on these characters, but rather present them as they are – morally questionable individuals. The audience seems to both critique the characters and find enjoyment in watching their actions unfold.

Upcoming for me, I will be taking on the role in Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland’s viscerally intense war movie, “Warfare.” Unlike my previous roles, this film is a raw, factual reenactment of a real-life event with minimal fictionalization. It’s quite different from anything I’ve ever done before!

“Warfare” has been the most challenging project I’ve encountered in my career so far, while “Death of a Unicorn” was the most enjoyable filming experience I’ve had. Physically and mentally, “Warfare” is one of the toughest things I’ve ever tackled, but it’s also been the most fun I’ve ever had doing anything!

The excitement is clearly visible on-screen, and now you can catch it at your local theater with “Death of a Unicorn,” brought to you by A24.

Read More

2025-03-29 00:02