‘Death of a Unicorn’ review: Dir. Alex Scharfman (2025)

‘Death of a Unicorn’ review: Dir. Alex Scharfman (2025)

Film Review: Death of a Unicorn (2025)

Director: Alex Scharfman
Genre: Horror Comedy

Unicorns have long been the darlings of childhood imagination — from glittery toys and birthday cakes to picture books and cartoons. But filmmaker Alex Scharfman flips the script on this mythical icon in Death of a Unicorn, offering a darkly comedic horror film tailor-made for adult audiences.

Much like the recent horror reinterpretation of Winnie-the-Pooh, Death of a Unicorn gleefully shatters the creature’s wholesome reputation, blending sharp satire with over-the-top gore.

A Weekend Retreat Gone Wild

The plot kicks off when father-daughter duo Elliott (Paul Rudd) and Ridley (Jenna Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn en route to a corporate retreat hosted by Elliott’s billionaire employers. Once at the isolated estate — nestled deep in a wildlife reserve — the duo discovers the unicorn’s blood isn’t just rare; it holds magical healing properties.

When Elliott’s boss and his wealthy inner circle realize the unicorn’s blood could be monetized, greed quickly takes over. While Elliott is tempted by the promise of unimaginable riches, Ridley stays grounded — suspecting that tampering with the natural order will come at a cost. She’s right. As night falls, the remaining unicorns return, and they’re anything but forgiving.

Embracing the Absurd

From its premise alone, Death of a Unicorn makes clear this isn’t a film that takes itself too seriously. Scharfman leans hard into the camp, delivering a crowd-pleasing, self-aware horror comedy that’s heavy on both blood and laughs.

The cast is stacked with comedic talent — including Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, and Jessica Hynes — who all fully embrace the film’s outrageous tone. Among them, Will Poulter emerges as a standout, landing nearly every comedic beat with impeccable timing and wit.

A Satirical Edge Beneath the Humor

Beneath the playful absurdity, Death of a Unicorn carries a pointed critique. Once the ultra-wealthy Leopold family discovers the unicorn’s regenerative power, their instinct isn’t to share the discovery with the world but to monopolize it for their own elite circle.

This plotline clearly takes aim at the real-world practices of big pharmaceutical corporations, highlighting the greed and gatekeeping that often leave life-saving treatments inaccessible to those who need them most. The film’s social commentary isn’t subtle, but its presence adds unexpected weight to what might otherwise be a straightforward splatter-comedy.

Mythical Beasts Meet Modern CGI

Visually, the unicorns strike a fascinating balance between fairytale beauty and brutal ferocity. While the creature designs lean into traditional fantasy aesthetics, their actions are pure horror — resulting in a series of violent and satisfyingly gory death scenes.

However, the heavy reliance on CGI undermines some of the tension. The unicorns, though conceptually intriguing, often feel too artificial, making it harder for viewers to stay immersed in the horror. Their attack patterns and behavior also echo the iconic velociraptors from Jurassic Park, right down to a hoof-tapping suspense cue — a nod that’s clever but slightly distracting from the film’s unique identity.

Final Verdict

Death of a Unicorn is a playful and blood-soaked ride that fuses the sharp social satire of Ready or Not with the creature-feature thrills of Jurassic Park. While the film’s CGI creatures could have benefited from more tangible effects and stronger individuality, the sharp writing, committed performances, and gleeful absurdity make it a memorable genre mash-up.

For those seeking a horror comedy with bite — and a little heart behind the humor — Death of a Unicorn is an entertaining and timely addition to the growing trend of twisted fairytales.

Rating: 3.5/5

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