A24 has a thing for the weird. You know the vibe—elevated horror, neon-soaked dramas, and stories that make you feel slightly uncomfortable in your own skin. But even by their standards, A24 Death of a Unicorn feels like a fever dream that’s been simmering on the stove for way too long. It’s been months since we first heard about Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega hitting a mythical creature with a pharmaceutical mogul’s car, and yet, the trailer remains a ghost.
Honestly, the hype is getting a bit ridiculous.
Usually, when a movie stars the guy from Ant-Man and the girl from Wednesday, the marketing machine starts screaming from the rooftops. Not here. This project has been shrouded in a level of secrecy that usually suggests either a massive surprise or a very complicated post-production cycle. We’re talking about a dark comedy that filmed in Hungary during a massive Hollywood strike because it was one of the few "independent" projects granted a waiver. That alone makes it a piece of film history.
The Plot We Actually Know About Death of a Unicorn
Let’s get the basics down before the rumors spiral. The film follows a father and daughter—played by Rudd and Ortega—who are driving to a high-stakes weekend retreat. They're heading to a crisis management summit hosted by a billionaire pharmaceutical CEO. On the way, they hit a unicorn.
Yeah. A literal unicorn.
It sounds like a joke, but the stakes are apparently pretty grim. Instead of calling animal control (or a priest?), they end up at the billionaire's estate with the magical carcass. From what we’ve gathered through industry leaks and casting calls, the billionaire, played by Richard E. Grant, discovers that the unicorn’s flesh, blood, and horn have actual, undeniable healing properties.
It’s basically a satire of Big Pharma mixed with a creature feature. Imagine Succession but with more glittery blood and a lot more existential dread.
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Director Alex Scharfman is making his debut here. That’s a bold swing. Usually, first-timers don't get a cast that includes Will Poulter, Anthony Carrigan, and Sunita Mani. But Scharfman has been a producer on some heavy hitters like Resurrection, so he isn't exactly a rookie in the "making people feel uneasy" department. John Carpenter is even rumored to be involved with the music, which, if true, means the synth levels are going to be off the charts.
Why the A24 Death of a Unicorn Release Date Is Such a Mystery
Everyone is asking the same thing: Where is it?
Most people expected a late 2024 or early 2025 festival run. Sundance came and went. Cannes didn't have it. This suggests that the visual effects might be more intensive than we originally thought. You can’t just throw a plastic horse on screen and call it a day in 2026. If the unicorn is central to the plot, and its "properties" are being harvested, the VFX team is likely working overtime to make sure it doesn't look like a low-budget Syfy original.
Also, A24’s schedule is packed. They’ve been pivoting toward "wider" releases lately—think Civil War—and a movie with Rudd and Ortega has massive commercial potential. They might be holding it for a specific window where it won't get buried by Marvel sequels or whatever billion-dollar franchise is hogging the IMAX screens.
There's also the "Jenna Ortega factor." She is arguably the biggest young star on the planet right now. Between Wednesday Season 2 and her other projects, her schedule is a nightmare for press tours. A24 isn't going to drop this movie without her being available to do the late-night circuit.
A Cast That Makes No Sense (In a Good Way)
The chemistry here is going to be bizarre. Paul Rudd is the "world’s nicest guy," but he’s at his best when he’s playing someone slightly panicked or morally compromised. Think The Shrink Next Door. Pairing him with Jenna Ortega, who has mastered the art of the deadpan stare, is a stroke of genius.
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- Paul Rudd plays the dad, Elliot. He's reportedly the moral center, or at least the one most freaked out by the situation.
- Jenna Ortega is Ridley, his daughter. Expect her to be the cynical voice of reason—or the one who realizes how much money a unicorn is worth.
- Richard E. Grant as the billionaire. Honestly, who else could play a flamboyant, potentially evil pharmaceutical tycoon?
- Anthony Carrigan is also in the mix. If you’ve seen him in Barry, you know he can turn from hilarious to terrifying in about three seconds.
The supporting cast includes Téa Leoni, which is a massive win. We haven't seen enough of her lately. Having her back in a high-concept A24 flick feels right.
This Isn't Your Typical Fantasy Movie
If you’re expecting The Last Unicorn, you’re going to be disappointed. This is a black comedy. It’s meant to be biting. The whole concept of "finding something magical and immediately trying to figure out how to monetize it" is a pretty loud critique of modern capitalism.
The unicorn isn't a symbol of hope here. It's a commodity.
There’s a reason Ari Aster (the guy who gave us Midsommar and Hereditary) is producing this. His production company, Square Peg, doesn't do "happy." They do "deeply traumatizing but you can't look away." Even though Scharfman is directing, the DNA of the film seems to lean heavily into that subversive, A24-style deconstruction of tropes.
Reports from the set in Hungary mentioned a lot of practical effects. That’s a good sign. In an era of muddy CGI, A24 usually sticks to things that actually exist in 3D space. If they built a physical unicorn for Rudd to hit with a car, the tactile nature of the film is going to set it apart from the digital sludge we see in theaters every weekend.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Production
Some fans think the movie was delayed because it’s "in trouble." That’s a common knee-jerk reaction when a film disappears for a year. But look at the context. The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike shifted everything. Even though they had a waiver, the entire industry’s pipeline got backed up.
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A24 also likes to play the long game. They waited forever to release The Green Knight until the timing was perfect. They aren't a studio that dumps movies to meet a quarterly earnings report. They wait for the "cool" factor to peak.
The film is basically finished. It’s in the can. We are just waiting for the right "vibes" to align for the premiere.
How to Prepare for the Premiere
If you want to be ready for A24 Death of a Unicorn, you should probably brush up on the director's previous production work. Watch Resurrection (2022). It gives you a sense of the kind of psychological tension Scharfman is comfortable with. It’s dark, it’s messy, and it’s unapologetic.
Keep an eye on the A24 social media accounts around 11 AM EST on Tuesdays or Thursdays. That’s usually when they drop their big trailers.
Also, don't expect a straightforward hero's journey. This is likely going to be a movie where nobody is a "good person." The protagonist kills a mythical creature. The antagonist tries to eat it or sell it. The daughter is stuck in the middle. It's going to be a ride, but it won't be a comfortable one.
Actionable Next Steps for Film Fans
- Set Google Alerts: Use the specific phrase "Death of a Unicorn trailer" to get notified the second it leaks or drops.
- Follow the Cast’s Stylists: Sounds weird, right? But stylists often post "press tour" looks a few days before an official announcement. If you see Ortega’s team posting unicorn-themed jewelry or high-fashion "dark" looks, the promo cycle has started.
- Check A24’s Shop: They often release "zines" or limited merch before the movie even hits theaters. These can contain cryptic clues about the plot.
- Watch for Film Festival Lineups: The Fall circuit (Venice, Telluride, TIFF) is the most likely place for a debut if they missed the Spring windows.
This movie is going to be a conversation starter. Whether it’s because it’s a masterpiece of satire or just because it’s the most "A24" thing to ever happen, you’ll want to see it before the spoilers hit social media. The combination of corporate greed and literal magic is too weird to ignore.