A24, as a studio, has garnered massive respect from movie critics across the nation. In the time since they became more mainstream, they have still held onto their keen eye for making artsy, bold, filmmaker-driven, original stories that is sorely needed right now in a world full of nostalgia.
I recently had the opportunity to see their newest film release, “Death of a Unicorn”, which centers around Elliot (played by Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (played by Jenna Ortega) on a drive to get away for the weekend. It comes to a halt when they accidentally hit a unicorn with their car, and Elliot’s wealthy boss wants to take advantage of the creature in hopes of curing himself from his illness.
Satires on the rich have started to become their own subgenre lately, but has it become stale? Well, for that to happen, they would have to be uninteresting and unfunny. Thankfully, Death of a Unicorn is both highly interesting and tremendously funny. Granted, it should be noted that dark humor is a very acquired taste and will not work for everybody.
Will Poulter is the clear stand out here. I was impressed with his comedic timing, and he had some of the funniest moments in the whole movie.
The film is at its strongest when it is a creature feature, so while it knows when to be funny, it also knows when to be serious and intense. There is a deep respect for the mythology of unicorns here, showing them as the magnificent creatures of the stories, while also leaning more into the darker elements and why we should not poke around with them. The unicorn carnage here gets pretty gnarly and bloody, but what made it thrilling to watch is that it happens to the characters who have it coming. If you are someone who despises wealthy people, it is a real hoot in that regard.
Over many years of watching movies, I have become more and more fascinated with what goes into making one. On a technical level, as with any A24 production, Death of a Unicorn is great to look at. There are some neat practical effects, accompanied by mostly good visual effects for the unicorns. Big tentpole films these days tend to rely heavily on green screen and visual effects, and it does not always work, especially if a few things still look jarring or unfinished in the finalized film.
With how this movie utilizes practical effects (real sets and props), it helps enhance the performances, making them more authentic and real. First time director Alex Scharfman helms the film, and it is really well shot with some great scenery and solid camerawork.
As for the performances, Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega had a great dynamic, and per usual, they both deliver. Richard E. Grant looked like he was having a blast, and even Anthony Carrigan had a few good moments to shine.
The film has a few minor issues, such as some jokes not landing as much as others, and while there are some horror elements, the fact that it does not treat itself like a horror movie may disappoint some people.
Overall, I really enjoyed Death of a Unicorn, and I feel it is one of the stronger editions to A24’s catalog. I am always curious to see whatever they decide to do next.
And remember, if you somehow encounter a unicorn on your next drive, it is probably for the best to just leave it alone.
