Death of a Unicorn – Movie Review (3/5)

DEATH OF A UNICORN is out on Digital (PVOD) now, and you’ll definitely want to check it out. It’s a wildly Satirical Social Commentary mixed with Mythical Fantasy Horror. Read our full Death of a Unicorn movie review here!

DEATH OF A UNICORN can be watched on PVOD now, so if you haven’t watched it yet, now is your chance. And yes, it is worth your time. It’s also a good 15 minutes longer than what would be best for it at 1 hour and 47 minutes. Still, it didn’t ruin the overall experience.

The lull around the middle is more than made up for by the horror-heavy final act. It may seem like pure satire early on, but the horror will be obvious. It’s a downright survival splatter horror at times. And yes, I rooted for the unicorn from start to finish.

Continue reading our Death of a Unicorn movie review below. Find it on Digital from April 29, 2025.

Mythic Horror Fantasy? Yes, please!

As someone who loves adventure movies, fantasy, and horror, Death of a Unicorn offers so much of what I enjoy when watching movies. With unicorns as a very serious part of the story, we’re deep in the world of fantasy and adventure. And I love it.

Before we get too far into the unicorn element, let’s go over the core plot real quick.

The story is about a father (Paul Rudd) and his somewhat estranged daughter (Jenna Ortega). After the death of (no, not the unicorn) his wife/her mother, the two haven’t had the best relationship. He tries, but not wholeheartedly, and she’s both sad and bitter.

Now, they’re heading to a weekend retreat at the remote house of his billionaire boss (Richard E. Grant). Hopefully, this will result in getting a promotion that will financially secure them for life.

Unfortunately, they don’t even get there before things go off the rails.

Don’t mess with Unicorns

First, they’re delayed getting off the plane at the airport, then the GPS is on the fritz, and they have trouble finding their way. In the middle of being very late and trying to find his way there, the dad, Elliot, accidentally hits a unicorn with his car.

The animal isn’t dead, and daughter, Ridley, has an emotional and spiritual connection with the mythical creature. Well, to avoid spoilers, let’s just say that it doesn’t end well for the unicorn… or anyone else.

Especially not, when it appears that the blood and horn of the unicorn have breathtaking and miraculous medicinal values. Oh, and Elliot does work for a pharmaceutical company. His boss, Odell, is dying, but maybe the death of a unicorn can be his cure?!

His wife, Belinda (Téa Leoni), and son, Shepard (Will Poulter), are also deep into trying to secure this miraculous creature. Or rather, the compounds of its body that can be used for financial gain. Quick on the scene to help are two doctors (Sunita Mani and Steve Park).

Unfortunately for the greedy people in this story, unicorns can communicate, and they never leave anyone behind. In other words, Unicorns are coming for their own, and they’re nothing like My Little Pony. Instead, it’s more like a moose combined with a rhino.

Big, strong, and angry!

Watch Death of a Unicorn on digital now!

Alex Scharfman is the writer and director of Death of a Unicorn. This is the feature film debut of Alex Scharfman as a writer and director. However, he is no stranger to making movies. Good movies. He was a producer on Resurrection and House of Spoils.

I really had no idea whether I’d like this movie, but the story and core concept fascinated me. Needless to say, the mythical creature is CGI, but in ways that worked really well for me.

Also, we’re clearly meant to empathize with the unicorns, which suits me perfectly. Plus, as a horror fan, you should notice a lot of nods to iconic horror movies. One scene with a unicorn was like a delicious homage to a scene from the Alien franchise.

What I want to focus on is that while Death of a Unicorn may seem like a fun and satirical drama for the first act, you will be getting a horror movie in the third act. The middle consists of great moments as well as some slower scenes that could (should?) have been cut.

In any case, you can now find it on digital via PVOD, so do check it out and just let it overwhelm and entertain you.

Death of a Unicorn is out on PVOD from April 29, 2025.

Details

Director: Alex Scharfman
Writer: Alex Scharfman
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant