So, you've probably seen the posters or heard the whispers about the killer unicorn movie 2025 that everyone seems to have an opinion on. It’s called Death of a Unicorn. Honestly, it is exactly the kind of weird, high-concept swing we expect from A24, but it’s definitely not your standard "monster in the woods" slasher.
It’s weird. Really weird.
Imagine Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega—basically two of the most likable people in Hollywood—accidentally hitting a mythical creature with their car. That’s the hook. But the real story is way darker than just a car accident.
What is Death of a Unicorn actually about?
The plot is kind of a fever dream. Paul Rudd plays Elliot, a guy who’s a bit of a corporate tool, and Jenna Ortega plays his daughter, Ridley. They’re driving to a remote retreat owned by Elliot’s mega-wealthy, pharmaceutical titan boss, Dell Leopold (played by the always-excellent Richard E. Grant).
Then? Thump. They hit a unicorn. Not a "sparkly glitter" unicorn, but a flesh-and-blood creature. Instead of calling the mythical version of AAA, they bring the body to the billionaire’s estate. This is where things get messy. The billionaire realizes the unicorn’s blood has "miraculous" healing properties. Greed kicks in. Science gets unethical.
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And then the "killer" part happens. See, the unicorn they hit was just a yearling. And its parents? They want it back.
Why the 2025 release date mattered
The movie hit theaters on March 28, 2025, after a pretty buzzy world premiere at SXSW on March 8. It felt like the perfect timing. We were all a bit tired of standard superhero sequels, and the idea of a killer unicorn movie 2025 felt fresh.
Wait.
I should mention the music. John Carpenter—the legend behind Halloween—did the score with his son Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies. It gives the whole thing this synth-heavy, dread-filled vibe that makes even the funny scenes feel a little dangerous.
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The Cast: Why this isn't just a B-movie
Usually, a movie about a killer unicorn would star people you’ve never heard of and have a budget of about twelve dollars. Not this one. A24 went all out.
- Paul Rudd plays Elliot. He’s not his usual "lovable Ant-Man" self here. He’s kind of a jerk for a lot of the movie, which threw some fans for a loop.
- Jenna Ortega is Ridley. She does that "disaffected teen who is actually the smartest person in the room" thing she’s perfected.
- Will Poulter plays the billionaire's son, Shepard. Most people agree he’s the funniest part of the film.
- Richard E. Grant is the eccentric billionaire. He’s basically playing a Bond villain if the villain was obsessed with eternal life and smoothies.
It’s a stacked lineup. Director Alex Scharfman really used the chemistry between Rudd and Ortega to ground the absurdity.
Is it actually scary?
That’s the big debate. If you go in expecting Cocaine Bear with a horn, you might be disappointed. It’s more of a dark comedy with "creature feature" elements. There is gore—plenty of it—especially when the adult unicorns show up and start wrecking the retreat. But it’s also a satire about how rich people will exploit literally anything for a profit.
Some people on Reddit hated it. They said it couldn't decide if it wanted to be funny or scary. Others loved the "weirdness." It’s definitely a "love it or hate it" kind of vibe.
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What most people get wrong about the "Killer" part
When you hear killer unicorn movie 2025, you probably imagine a horse biting people. In reality, the "monsters" in this movie are almost secondary to the human monsters. The Leopolds are the real villains. They’re the ones harvesting the creature.
The unicorns? They're just parents looking for their kid. In a weird way, you kind of end up rooting for the unicorns to kill everyone.
Key takeaways for your watch party
If you’re planning to stream this or find it on Blu-ray (A24 usually does great physical releases), here’s what you need to know:
- Watch the background. There are a ton of small details in the Leopold estate that hint at how messed up the family is before the unicorn even wakes up.
- The Vape Joke. Jenna Ortega’s character has a compulsive vaping habit that is a running gag. Some think it’s annoying; others think it’s a perfect bit of character work.
- The Ending. It’s not a "clean" ending. It’s pretty bleak and leaves you thinking about the price of "miracle cures."
Honestly, the killer unicorn movie 2025 might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely one of the most unique things to come out this year. If you like your horror mixed with a heavy dose of "what did I just watch?" then Death of a Unicorn is your best bet.
Next time you’re scrolling through a streaming service and see a horn on the thumbnail, just remember: it’s not a fairytale. It’s a bloodbath.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to watch this, check A24’s official shop or streaming partners like Max, as it often lands there a few months after the theatrical window. If you're a fan of the score, the vinyl release from Sacred Bones Records is usually the best way to experience that John Carpenter magic.