Death of a Unicorn: A Whimsical Yet Fleeting Creature Feature

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A Film Titled “Death of a Unicorn” Kicks Off with Humorous Scenes and Thrilling Creature Feature Action, but May Not Leave a Lasting Impression as a Standout Entry in the Recent Spate of “Rich-Eating” Genre Productions.

Over the past five years, we’ve seen a surge in comedic adaptations exploring the various macabre methods the affluent might meet their end, following in the footsteps of the sharp and humorous film Knives Out.

Since the release of Knives Out, which has a witty and sarcastic tone, we’ve seen numerous comedies emerging that examine the diverse ways the wealthy can suffer a tragic demise. Over the last five years, this trend has been particularly prevalent.

The dark comedy subgenre that includes films like “Triangle of Sadness,” “Parasite,” “The Menu,” and “The White Lotus” has become quite popular, being used extensively in both comedies and dramas. However, while “Death of a Unicorn” fits well within this category, it may not be the absolute best among them.

Through some keenly performed scenes and an authentic spirit of enjoyment, it’s an entertaining experience that maintains a light-hearted atmosphere without being overly dramatic. However, much like other films of this genre, in its pursuit of humor and the bizarre, it falls short of creating something truly enchanting.

What is Death of a Unicorn about?

In simpler terms, the movie “Death of a Unicorn” revolves around the characters Elliot (played by Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega). They embark on a trip into the Canadian wilderness for a weekend getaway at Elliot’s boss’ estate, aiming to secure his position as a board member.

However, en route to their destination, an unfortunate incident occurs as they strike what appears to be a unicorn with their vehicle. To conceal this mishap, they hastily stuff the mythical creature into their car’s trunk. Upon arrival, they discover to their surprise that the animal is still breathing.

Once they learn that a unicorn’s blood possesses healing powers, the affluent Leopold family, who amassed their wealth in pharmaceuticals, seize upon the opportunity to acquire the mythical creature. Their aim is to capitalize on its magical qualities and create a new fortune for themselves.

Of course, when provoked, nature responds aggressively. So, it falls upon Elliot, Ridley, and their family to defend themselves as another unicorn seeks out its lost offspring.

Jenna Ortega and Will Poulter steal the show

The characters in Death of a Unicorn are somewhat expected. There’s a young woman criticizing the superficial lives of the extremely wealthy, an outsider yearning to join this elite group, and thoughtless antagonists whose harshness stems from their lack of awareness about the world they inhabit.

In this scenario, certain characters receive less attention compared to others, for instance, Richard E. Grant’s character Odell and Téa Leoni’s character Belinda may feel overlooked or relegated to stereotypes.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by Ortega and Poulter. They consistently dive headfirst into absurd levels of terror and chaos, making each gameplay session a thrilling ride. It’s no secret that Ortega has honed her scream queen skills over the years, while Poulter never shies away from embracing the ridiculousness.

With a different touch, Alexander Scharfman’s script could seem less compelling, but Ortega and Poulter – particularly Poulter as the detestable Shepard Leopold – manage to maintain an entertaining, lively pace throughout.

Doesn’t grab the unicorn by the horn

To put it simply: The film is entertaining, with certain grisly deaths that could fit well in a genuine horror flick. There’s plenty of humor sprinkled throughout, but it strikes a balance between horror-comedy and satirical storytelling that leads to a loss of pace starting from the middle.

The film presents as a blend of a heartfelt father-daughter story and a morality tale about human greed, yet neither theme seems to be thoroughly developed. Instead, the production emphasizes spectacle and magic, resulting in an undeniably thrilling action movie, albeit one that lacks substantial depth.

It’s fortunate that minimal attempts were made to make the unicorns appear realistic. These creatures straddle the line between being frightening and amusing, particularly in the initial half, suggesting they were primarily designed for humor rather than as formidable on-screen adversaries.

In summary, “Death of a Unicorn” is an engaging monster movie, with its suspenseful scenes in the house and jolting jump scares being particularly effective. However, the conclusion could have been stronger if there had been a greater emphasis on the chase instead of the philosophical reflections it presented.

TopMob Review Score: 3/5 – Good

A Comedy About the Demise of a Unicorn offers a delightful blend of humor and traditional monster movie elements, serving as an ideal platform for the talented younger actors.

In a slightly different phrasing, here’s how you might rephrase the given text: “The movie has fleeting moments of magical charm, suggesting a potentially greater impact if the unicorn had been allowed to roam freer. Though it may struggle to shine amidst other horror-comedies from 2025 (like ‘The Monkey’), it at least offers an imaginative twist – one that’s been missing in some of its cinematic counterparts.

Death of a Unicorn is in cinemas from April 4.

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2025-04-01 19:22