Death of a Unicorn is a dark comedy that will hit all the right notes with genre fans who love to see despicable people die in horrific ways. Granted the Unicorn direction is a bit odd and ‘shroom induced, but if you go in with the correct mindset it will be a fun trip.
Synopsis: Father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO. | Rated R for strong violent content, gore, language and some drug use. | 1h 47m
This story is as simple as it is insane. What if someone hit a deer… wait though… what if it was a unicorn???? Say less. That is pretty much the cataylist for everything that comes next. Borrowing – and openly paying tribute – from films like Alien, Jurassic Park, and other group survival films, this one offers more than a trippy, superficial romp.
There is no better villain than a mega rich, out of touch, elitist family who care for nothing other than their own selfish ambitions. As humans we should root for other humans trying to stay alive. The reason these movies work is that there is an inner joy seeing the ruthless get their just desserts. makes we wonder who the rich people root for when they are watching.
Dark comedy is hard to pull off for even the most versatile actor. You have to sell both the character and the over the top stereotype. Everything is super elevated. When done right it is beauty but when over the line it comes across as hammy and unbelievable. Who does it best and who not so much?
Paul Rudd (Elliot) and Jenna Ortega (Ridley) are father and daughter in this tale and both are very comfortable with the roles and comedy. Elliot is a father trying to provide for his daughter Ridley. A daughter who thinks her dad only cares about career and hasn’t been there since the death of her mother. They are heading to the retreat of Elliot’s rich boss Odell (Richard E. Grant). Odell is dying and wants Elliot to take over as the families lawyer and trust guy. The family includes a clueless son (Will Poulter) and an out of touch wife (Téa Leoni). Surprisingly Leoni is the least believable and feels the most out of place in this dark journey. She is an amazing actress yet this style of humor is not in her wheelhouse. But it certainly takes nothing away from the movie, just the least liked moments.
Elliot is trying super hard to impress Odell even at the expense of his daughters feelings. At the center of all of this is a Unicorn that Odell wants to use for personal gain and Ridley wants to save. Neither knows the risk and when bodies start stacking up it is obvious that the Unicorns are the ones we all root for. They are ferocious and why no one has thought to use them in this capacity is amazing. Like the Dino’s in Jurassic Park they are powerful, unstoppable, and loyal to their baby.
Elliot and Ridley have a nice story line. They are trying to find a common ground as they work through hurt and heartbreak. Rudd is always a good dad in movies and always seems real. He loves Ridley and wants nothing more than to give her a wonderful life. Watching them bond and grow in the most insane events is a fun and touching part.
There are moments when this film goes off the rails with the whole Unicorn lore and grabbing horn trips. We all know Rudd as Ant-Man. Fans of Marvel will think that the quantum realm is another homage paid here. Luckily that part of the film is brief and there for some spiritual fluff, but adds little to the fun.
Like carnage? Especially when dealt out by mythical creatures? This is your flick. Early reviews of DEATH OF A UNICORN were midlevel. Going in low might help the entertainment value. I found it to be a fast paced, trippy, and at times seat squirming theater experience. So grab the horse by the horn and lets kill some folks.
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