“Death of a Unicorn” (2025) เล่าเรื่องราวของพ่อและลูกที่ออกเดินทางท่องเที่ยวในช่วงสุดสัปดาห์ แต่เกิดอุบัติเหตุขับรถชนยูนิคอร์นจนตาย เมื่อเจ้านายผู้ร่ำรวยของพ่อได้ยินเรื่องนี้ เขานำยูนิคอร์นเข้าห้องทดลองเพื่อตรวจสอบและหาทางใช้ประโยชน์จากคุณสมบัติอันน่าตะลึงของมัน เรื่องราวสำรวจความเชื่อมโยงระหว่างมนุษย์กับสัตว์ในโลกที่ไม่เคยมีมาก่อน และผลกระทบที่เกิดขึ้นจากการแสวงหาประโยชน์จากธรรมชาติ
"Death of a Unicorn" is a 2025 American horror-comedy film that blends elements of fantasy, satire, and family drama. Directed by Alex Scharfman in his directorial debut, the film features a star-studded cast, including Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant. The movie was released in North America by A24 on March 28, 2025, following its world premiere at the South by Southwest Festival on March 8, 2025.
Plot Overview
The story centers on Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), who, while en route to a weekend retreat, accidentally hit and kill a unicorn. This incident leads them to the estate of Elliot’s billionaire boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), who seeks to exploit the unicorn’s miraculous curative properties.
Cast and Characters
- Paul Rudd as Elliot Kintner: A widowed father and attorney who becomes entangled in the chaos following the unicorn’s death.
- Jenna Ortega as Ridley Kintner: Elliot’s daughter, whose relationship with her father is central to the film’s emotional core.
- Richard E. Grant as Odell Leopold: Elliot’s billionaire boss, driven by greed to exploit the unicorn’s powers.
- Téa Leoni as Belinda Leopold: Odell’s wife, who becomes complicit in the family’s schemes.
- Will Poulter as Shepard Leopold: Odell’s son, whose amoral and delusional traits add a comedic element to the narrative.
Production Details
Filming began in Hungary in July 2023, with the production granted a waiver to continue during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, as A24 is not part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Music and Soundtrack
Initially, John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies were announced to compose the film’s score. However, in February 2025, Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco took over the composing duties. The official trailer, released on December 18, 2024, featured a rendition of "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of 38 critic reviews were positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The consensus reads: "Death of a Unicorn is a slightly exaggerated satire, but it remains entertaining and sprinkled with creatures." Metacritic assigned a score of 56 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."
Box Office Performance
In its opening weekend, "Death of a Unicorn" grossed $5.8 million, finishing fifth at the box office. In its second weekend, the film made $2.7 million, dropping 53%, and finished sixth.
Conclusion
"Death of a Unicorn" offers a unique blend of horror and comedy, with a premise that reimagines unicorns as deadly creatures. While the film has received mixed reviews, it stands out for its creative concept and strong performances from its cast. For those interested in a darkly humorous take on fantasy, "Death of a Unicorn" provides an engaging cinematic experience.
