‘Death of a Unicorn’ review: Don’t gotta be perfect

Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, and others play out a surprisingly spiritual tale in Alex Scharfman’s Death of a Unicorn from A24.

“If Jesus Christ returned, we’ll just kill the f****er twice” – Oli Sykes.

It’s a polarizing line from a controversial Metalcore outfit that sent flames across the internet last year. A blunt examination of our relationship with theology and the pitfalls of pride. It’s also a wrap up of everything that Death of a Unicorn is attempting to express in its shockingly vibrant and terribly violent premise.

Writer/director Alex Scharfman delivers a genre-bending horror/comedy (yet another from A24) this time with a dark fantasy twist. Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega play estranged father/daughter duo Elliot and Ridley. After running over a unicorn on the way to an important business meeting, they find that the creature has magically curative properties. The demise of the titular creature represents a timeless struggle between mankind’s lust for power and the innocence that dies in order to fulfill those desires. To put it in a theological sense; When faced with God, would mankind welcome him with open arms, or exploit his miracles?

God’s children.

Though the film makes reference to the unicorn’s connection to Christian faith, Death of a Unicorn offers a more universal interpretation of what fans of Jordan Peele’s Nope will recognize as a “bad miracle.” Plus, Jurassic Park fans will probably lock in to the film’s discussion of scientific ethical responsibility fairly early on in the runtime. Death of a Unicorn has a paper thin plot that’s fairly easy to follow. Each character serves as some kind of moral compass or ideological representation. Ortega is the Virgin Mary, pure of heart and soul and the only character able to understand and sympathize with the unicorns – the vengeful Gods – throughout. The Leopold family represents mankind’s selfish desire for self-preservation. Even if it can be argued that the unicorn may be the answer to all of mankind’s ailments, the family would rather keep it within their wealthy inner circle.

The fun isn’t without glaring flaws. The characters, full of personality as they are, come off a bit sterotypical. The Leopold patriarch (Richard E. Grant) is a typical power-mad rich man. His conquest for power can be likened to a Sanger Rainsford trying to start his own Most Dangerous Game. His wife (Téa Leoni) doesn’t really have much to do for the majority of the plot, which is a disservice to Leoni’s acting abilities. The only member of the family to go through any kind of change is heir apparent Shepard (Will Poulter),. I wouldn’t call his transition from spoiled rich boy to vision-crazy unicorn horn powder addict significantly different. However, it does provide for an interesting parallel to Ridley. Both characters witness some kind of universal truth through interaction with the unicorn horn. But while Ridley emphasizes with the creature, witnessing the truth only enforces Shepard’s conqueror mentality. 

There’s also Rudd’s Elliot. The ageless actor delivers a fine performance as a single father just trying to do what he believes is right for his daughter. I don’t believe we’re ever supposed to be on his side, however I do think the film could have done a better job trying to convince us that we should. Elliot is supposed to be a confident attorney with strong standings in his position. And yet, Rudd’s anxious execution just makes him come off as someone who clearly has no idea what he’s getting himself into. 

The bottom line.

The film manages to tell a very compelling and at times even uplifting story despite its shortcomings. As paper thin as the plot may be, it makes up for it with confidence in its thematics and a playful execution. One that might be jarring at first – what with A24’s unusual way of mixing comedic elements and heel-digging tense situations – but ultimately wraps things up in a very heartwarming and powerfully spiritual bow.

Death of a Unicorn is now playing in theaters everywhere. Watch the trailer here.

Images courtesy of A24. Read more articles by Adonis Gonzalez here.