DEATH OF A UNICORN – “An intriguingly strange and refreshingly original black comedy creature feature”

RATING

DIRECTOR
Directed by: Alex Scharfman
MAIN CAST
• Paul Rudd as Elliot Kintner
• Jenna Ortega as Ridley Kintner
• Richard E. Grant as Odell Leopold
• Will Poulter as Shepard Leopold
• Téa Leoni as Belinda Leopold
SYNOPSIS
When a man and his daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn with their car, his boss tries to exploit the creature's miraculous curative properties -- with horrific results.
REVIEW SUMMARY
An intriguingly strange and refreshingly original black comedy, Death of a Unicorn might just be the most offbeat viewing experience you will have all year. While the intriguing premise may lack depth and the themes feel a bit too on the nose (or should I say, horn?), there’s still plenty to enjoy here. For one, the cast is clearly having a blast, fully embracing both the absurdity and the horror of it all. On a side note, it was a delight to see Téa Leoni back on the big screen—she’s naturally fantastic in this. However, it’s Jenna Ortega and Will Poulter who truly steal the show with their contrasting characters, with Poulter especially sinking his teeth into his heelish role. As for the horror elements, the film does an excellent job of building suspense and delivering plenty of WTF moments, with gnarly kills and squirm-inducing sequences galore. That said, the final act admittedly drags a bit, leaning heavily on derivative moments. The special effects are also hit-or-miss, with some of the unicorn shots looking noticeably “off.” But, the sharp dialogue and high-energy performances keep things engaging right up to the end. Trust me, it’s the “mythical creatures gone wild” movie you didn’t even know you needed in your life.
BOX OFFICE TOP 5

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The King of Kings
$17.3 million