A24 has a reputation for being weird. Not just "indie movie" weird, but the kind of weird that makes you question why you’re laughing at something objectively horrifying. Their upcoming project, Death of a Unicorn, fits that mold perfectly. If you haven’t heard the premise yet, it’s basically every environmentalist’s nightmare fueled by a billionaire’s mid-life crisis. A father and daughter accidentally run over a unicorn while driving to a remote estate in the wilderness. It sounds like the start of a dark fairy tale, but knowing the Death of a Unicorn cast and the creative team involved, it’s going to be way more cynical and sharp-edged than your average fantasy flick.
Finding out who is actually in this movie has been a bit of a scavenger hunt. Because the film was granted an interim agreement by SAG-AFTRA during the 2023 strikes, production actually moved forward while most of Hollywood was at a standstill. This gave us early glimpses into the ensemble, and honestly, the lineup is inspired. It’s a mix of heavy-hitting veterans and the exact kind of "it-girls" and cult favorites that A24 fans obsess over.
The Core Duo: Rudd and Ortega
At the center of everything, we have Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega. It’s a pairing that makes total sense on paper but feels incredibly fresh for a dark comedy. Rudd plays Elliot, the father. We usually see Rudd as the lovable, ageless guy-next-door—think Ant-Man or I Love You, Man. But here, he’s reportedly playing a guy working for a pharmaceutical mogul, trapped in a situation that spiraled out of control the second his bumper hit a mythical creature.
Jenna Ortega is Ridley, his daughter. Ortega has basically become the face of modern "strange and unusual" roles after Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Her casting is a massive win for the project’s visibility. She’s got that specific ability to look completely unimpressed by the supernatural, which is exactly the energy you need when your dad is freaking out over a dead unicorn in the trunk. The chemistry between a panicked Rudd and a cynical Ortega is likely the emotional (and comedic) anchor of the entire film.
The Supporting Players: Why the Death of a Unicorn Cast is So Stacked
Beyond the leads, the Death of a Unicorn cast fills out with names that suggest a high-concept satire of the ultra-wealthy. Richard E. Grant is involved. That alone should tell you something about the tone. Grant has this incredible way of playing posh, slightly unhinged intellectuals—perfect for a story involving a pharmaceutical company trying to exploit the "miraculous" properties of a dead unicorn. You can almost see him swirling a glass of scotch while discussing the logistics of harvesting unicorn blood.
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Then you have Téa Leoni. It’s been a minute since we’ve seen her in a major film role after her long run on Madam Secretary, and her return here is genuinely exciting. She’s always had a fantastic comedic timing that often gets overlooked in her more serious political roles.
Then there’s the rest of the crew:
- Will Poulter: He’s been on an absolute tear lately. From The Bear to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Poulter has range. He can play the "earnest but confused" guy or the "quietly menacing" corporate stooge better than almost anyone in his age bracket.
- Anthony Carrigan: If you’ve seen Barry, you know why this is great news. Carrigan’s NoHo Hank is one of the best comedic creations of the last decade. His presence suggests the movie will lean heavily into the absurd.
- Sunita Mani: Known for GLOW and Spirited, she’s a master of the deadpan reaction.
- Jessica Hynes: A British comedy legend (seriously, go watch Spaced if you haven't). Her inclusion hints at a specific, perhaps slightly dry, wit in the script.
- Stephen Park: After his roles in The French Dispatch and Asteroid City, he’s becoming a staple of meticulously crafted, quirky cinema.
Behind the Scenes: Who is Steering This Ship?
You can't talk about the cast without talking about Alex Scharfman. This is his directorial debut, which is a bold move considering the scale of the talent involved. Scharfman has spent years as a producer (working on films like Resurrection), so he’s not a novice to the industry, but jumping into the director's chair for an A24 feature with Paul Rudd is a huge leap.
The soundtrack is another massive "get" for this movie. John Carpenter—yes, the John Carpenter—is composing the score alongside his son Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies. This is a fascinating choice. Usually, you associate Carpenter with synthesizers and stalking slashers. Bringing that heavy, atmospheric sound to a dark comedy about a dead unicorn suggests a vibe that’s more "impending doom" than "slapstick road trip." It’s gonna be moody. It’s gonna be weird.
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Why People are Obsessed with This Specific Production
The hype around the Death of a Unicorn cast isn't just about the names on the poster. It’s about the context. This movie is part of a trend where "prestige" horror and dark comedy are merging into this weird hybrid genre that people can’t get enough of. Think The Menu or Triangle of Sadness.
There’s also the A24 factor. The studio has cultivated a following that functions more like a lifestyle brand. When people see that A24 logo, they expect a certain level of "elevated" weirdness. Casting Paul Rudd—who is basically universally liked—in something that sounds this dark is a classic A24 subversion. They’re taking "America’s Dad" and putting him in a situation where he has to deal with the moral implications of accidentally murdering a symbol of purity.
Actually, the "unicorn" itself is a pretty heavy-handed metaphor for the environment, right? Or maybe it's about the death of innocence in the face of corporate greed. Or maybe it’s just a movie about a dead horse with a horn. But given the cast, it’s unlikely to be that simple.
What to Expect Next
The movie was filmed in Hungary, which is a popular spot for these kinds of productions because of the tax incentives and the varied landscapes. Since filming wrapped a while ago, we’re mostly waiting on a concrete release date and a trailer. A24 likes to play it close to the chest with their marketing. They’ll probably drop a poster that makes no sense, followed by a trailer that goes viral on TikTok because of a single Jenna Ortega eye-roll.
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Kinda interesting is how the film handles the "unicorn" itself. Reports suggest the pharmaceutical company owned by the billionaire (played by Grant) discovers that the unicorn's flesh and blood have supernatural healing properties. This turns the movie from a "hit-and-run" story into a "corporate conspiracy" thriller. It’s basically Jurassic Park if John Hammond was even more of a jerk and the dinosaurs were already dead.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Cinephiles
If you're looking to keep up with the movie, there are a few things you should actually do rather than just waiting for the algorithm to feed you news.
- Watch the Director's Previous Work: Check out Resurrection (2022). Alex Scharfman produced it. It’ll give you a sense of the uncomfortable, psychological tone he’s comfortable with. It's a tough watch, but it's brilliant.
- Follow the Carpenter Score: Keep an eye on Sacred Bones Records. They usually handle the releases for John Carpenter’s modern scores. The vinyl for this movie will likely be a collector's item.
- Monitor the A24 App: If you’re a die-hard, the "AAA24" membership usually gets you early access to merch and sometimes screening info. This is where the first "Death of a Unicorn" merchandise—probably something bizarre like a "unicorn blood" vial—will pop up.
- Revisit the Cast’s "Darker" Work: To get in the mood, watch The Guest (to see what the director's peers are doing) or The Death of Dick Long (another A24 "body in the trunk" dark comedy). It’ll help you calibrate your expectations for the humor.
The Death of a Unicorn cast represents a perfect storm of talent. You’ve got the comedic reliability of Rudd, the Gen Z star power of Ortega, and a supporting cast of character actors who never miss. It’s a movie that’s trying to say something about our world while showing us something that doesn't exist. That's a hard line to walk. But with this group, they might just pull it off.