You’ve probably seen the memes of Jenna Ortega looking deeply unimpressed while standing next to a dead mythical creature. If you haven't, honestly, where have you been? Death of a Unicorn is easily one of the most bizarre things to come out of the A24 camp in years. It’s a movie that somehow manages to mix a father-daughter road trip with corporate greed and, well, magical roadkill.
Jenna Ortega plays Ridley, a teenager who is basically the moral compass of the whole mess. Her dad, Elliot (played by Paul Rudd), is a corporate lawyer who’s a bit too obsessed with his job. They’re driving through the Canadian Rockies to a retreat when thump. They hit something.
It’s not a deer. It’s a unicorn.
What Actually Happens in Death of a Unicorn?
The plot is a total fever dream. After the accident, Elliot and Ridley end up at the estate of Elliot's billionaire boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). Now, normal people would probably call the police or a vet, but these are movie billionaires. They see the unicorn and immediately think: "How can we turn this into a drug?"
The creature’s blood and horn have these insane healing powers. It literally cures Odell’s cancer in like, five minutes. From there, it turns into a dark satire about Big Pharma. Jenna Ortega’s character is the only one who seems to realize that killing a magical creature for profit is a terrible, horrible, no-good idea.
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She’s right, of course.
The movie takes a hard turn into horror when the "parents" of the dead unicorn show up. And they aren't the sparkly, rainbow-loving type. They are huge, dark-furred, and very angry.
The Cast is Kind of Stacked
A24 really pulled out the big guns for this one. You’ve got:
- Jenna Ortega as Ridley: The skeptical, activist-leaning daughter.
- Paul Rudd as Elliot: The stressed-out dad trying to secure his future.
- Richard E. Grant as Odell: The eccentric, dying billionaire.
- Will Poulter as Shepard: The spoiled, hilarious son who snorts unicorn horn powder like it’s a party drug.
- Téa Leoni as Belinda: The opportunistic wife.
Will Poulter basically steals every scene he's in. He plays this ignorant, rich-kid energy so well that you kind of hate him, but you can’t stop laughing at him.
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Jenna Ortega’s "Death of a Unicorn" Performance
People keep comparing this to Wednesday, but it’s different. Ridley is withdrawn and angry, sure, but she’s also vulnerable. She’s grieving her mother, who died of cancer—the very disease the unicorn horn eventually "cures" for the billionaire.
The emotional weight Ortega brings to the role is what keeps the movie from becoming just a goofy monster flick. When she touches the unicorn’s horn, she gets these psychic visions. It’s trippy. It’s weird. It’s very Jenna Ortega.
Is the Movie Actually Good?
That’s the $15 million question. The budget was around $15 million, and it made about $16.4 million at the box office. Not a massive hit, but it’s developed a massive cult following on streaming.
Critics were mixed. Some loved the "Cocaine Bear meets Succession" vibe. Others thought the satire was a bit too "on the nose." Honestly? It’s a fun ride if you don't take it too seriously. The practical effects on the unicorns are actually incredible. They look terrifying.
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Production Facts You Should Know
The film was directed by Alex Scharfman. It was his directorial debut, which is pretty bold for a movie about killing unicorns. Interestingly, Ari Aster (the guy behind Hereditary and Midsommar) was an executive producer. You can definitely feel his influence in the "something is very wrong in the woods" atmosphere.
Also, the score was done by Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco, though early reports suggested John Carpenter might be involved. The final music is still pretty eerie and fits the dark fantasy vibe perfectly.
Why You Should Care in 2026
We’re a year out from the theatrical release now, and Death of a Unicorn is still a top-tier "weird movie" recommendation. It’s currently streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max), and it’s the perfect Friday night watch if you want something that isn't a typical superhero movie.
It addresses things like:
- Corporate Greed: How far will people go for "immortality"?
- Environmental Destruction: The unicorns are a literal manifestation of nature fighting back.
- Family Trauma: The core of the movie is really just a dad and daughter trying to talk to each other again.
If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it for Will Poulter’s archery scene alone. It’s ridiculous.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Streaming Status: Head over to Max or Hulu to see if it's still included in your subscription.
- Watch the Teaser: If you're on the fence, the "Unicorn Reveal" teaser trailer on YouTube gives you a perfect sense of the tone.
- Look for the Physical Release: A24 usually puts out really cool "Collector’s Edition" Blu-rays on their webstore. This is definitely one of those movies that looks better on a high-quality disc.