
The main focus of the movie, directed by first-time writer-director Alex Scharfman, appears to be Elliot Kintner, portrayed by Paul Rudd, who serves as the VP of ethical compliance for the Leopolds. Elliot, a widower, is desperate to emulate the Leopolds’ esteemed status, sacrificing his relationship with his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) in the process. He takes Ridley along on a weekend trip to the Leopolds’ luxurious Canadian wilderness lodge to curry favor with them and secure a position on their board. Elliot’s character is portrayed as a man who is so deeply in denial about his actions that it borders on dissociation, constantly showing signs of confusion that quickly turn into submissive complacency. Rudd delivers a performance that, unfortunately, lacks depth. The intriguing aspect of the film’s title, Death of a Unicorn, comes into play as Elliot accidentally hits one of these mythical creatures during their journey to the lodge. Only Ridley initially recognizes what it is, but its body later proves to have healing properties, which is useful for Odell, who recovers from a previous illness. However, the unicorn also has parents who are larger and more violent, and they soon arrive seeking their missing child.