{"id":2371,"date":"2025-03-24T13:16:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T13:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/24\/death-of-a-unicorn-review-good-idea-mediocre-execution\/"},"modified":"2025-03-24T13:17:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T13:17:04","slug":"death-of-a-unicorn-review-good-idea-mediocre-execution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/24\/death-of-a-unicorn-review-good-idea-mediocre-execution\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Death of a Unicorn\u2019 Review: Good Idea, Mediocre Execution"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(L-R) Jessica Hynes, T\u00e9a Leoni, Will Poulter, Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and Anthony Carrigan in Death of a Unicorn<\/em>. Courtesy of A24 Press<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a world of endless sequels, remakes, and bottom-of-the-barrel IP, an original idea can go a long way. With a starry cast, a snappy trailer, and a genuinely neat conceit, Death of a Unicorn <\/i>seemed like a movie that could break through to audiences looking beyond cinema\u2019s biggest brands. And though there are glimmers of greatness tucked away in this film, its full potential goes unrealized and this fantastical, pharmaceutical flick ends up surprisingly unmemorable.<\/p>\n

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DEATH OF A UNICORN<\/b> \u2605\u2605 (2\/4 stars<\/em>)<\/strong>
Directed by:<\/strong> Alex Scharfman
Written by: <\/strong>Alex Scharfman
Starring: <\/strong>Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, T\u00e9a Leoni, Richard E. Grant
Running time:<\/strong> 108 mins.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n

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Magical creature murder aside, Death of a Unicorn <\/i>follows a fairly rote path. There\u2019s headstrong, moody art student Ridley (Jenna Ortega<\/a>), forced on a trip into the remote wilderness by her uncool but earnest father Elliot (Paul Rudd<\/a>). They\u2019re off to meet Elliot\u2019s boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), the ailing patriarch at the head of a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company. Elliot is a company lawyer, and he\u2019s been tasked with executing Odell\u2019s monetary wishes for his wife Belinda (T\u00e9a Leoni) and son Shepard (Will Poulter<\/a>) after his death\u2014as long as Elliot meets the Leopold standard of family values, or something. The how and why of the visit is a bit confused, but what\u2019s important is that Ridley resents being used as a \u201cpity prop\u201d (her mom is dead, because she and her dad need something<\/em> to have an emotional connection over) and is deeply unhappy to be in the presence of a big pharma family.<\/p>\n

Obviously, the whole killing-a-unicorn thing is also a major downer. Ridley connects with the dying creature after her dad hits it with their car, quickly becoming the unicorn\u2019s only defender as the Leopolds discover the body\u2014and its incredible healing properties. With just a splatter of blood to the face, Elliot no longer needs his glasses and Ridley\u2019s acne disappears (though her vape addiction still holds strong), and Odell sees opportunity. But as the Leopolds start to harvest their new miracle cure from the unicorpse, the animal\u2019s brethren seek vengeance.<\/p>\n