You know that feeling when a movie is so beautiful you want to reach out and touch the screen, but the story is so uncomfortable you want to look away? That’s basically the vibe of I Believe in Unicorns.
Released back in 2014, Leah Meyerhoff’s directorial debut is a polarizing piece of indie cinema. It’s not your typical popcorn flick. Honestly, if you’re looking for a lighthearted fantasy about mythical creatures, you’ve come to the wrong place. Despite the title, this is a raw, often brutal look at a teenage girl’s first brush with love—and the darkness that can come with it.
People still search for the I Believe in Unicorns rating because it doesn’t fit neatly into a box. Is it a masterpiece? A "film school" experiment? A warning? Depending on who you ask, it’s all three.
The Critical Consensus: What the Pros Think
When you look at the numbers, the reception is actually pretty solid, even if the content makes critics squirm. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 84% from critics. Over on Metacritic, it sits at a 73, which is generally considered "favorable."
But numbers don't tell the whole story.
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- Jeannette Catsoulis (New York Times): She praised the film's emotional authenticity, noting that it holds together without compromising its simplicity.
- Brian Tallerico (RogerEbert.com): He gave it 3 out of 4 stars. He did mention it falls into some "college film student clichés," but he was floored by the lead performance.
- The "Film School" Critique: Some reviewers, like those at the New York Daily News, were much harsher. They called it a "slapdash film-school reject." Ouch.
The divide usually comes down to whether you appreciate the "artsy" style. Meyerhoff used Super 16mm film and stop-motion animation. It looks vintage. It feels like a dream. But for some, that style gets in the way of the substance.
Breaking Down the I Believe in Unicorns Rating by Content
If you are a parent or just someone sensitive to heavy themes, the "Official Rating" (it’s technically Unrated/NR) is a bit of a trap. Just because it’s not rated R doesn't mean it's for kids. It is very much for older teens and adults.
Sexual Content and Violence
This is where the movie gets controversial. It features Natalia Dyer (before her Stranger Things fame) as Davina. At the time of filming, Dyer was a teenager, and the film depicts her first sexual experiences with an older boy named Sterling (Peter Vack).
The scenes are frank. They aren't "Hollywood" sexy; they are messy, confusing, and eventually, violent. There is a scene in a motel room that shifts from intimate to physically abusive in a heartbeat. One reviewer on DoesTheDogDie noted that the "boyfriend" is essentially an adult while the protagonist is 16, adding a layer of grooming-adjacent discomfort to the whole thing.
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Emotional Weight
Davina’s life isn’t easy. She’s the sole caretaker for her mother, who has Multiple Sclerosis. Fun fact: the woman playing the mother is actually the director’s real-life mother, Toni Meyerhoff. This adds a layer of realism that’s almost painful to watch. Davina uses her fantasy world—the unicorns and dragons—as a coping mechanism. When the dragon in her mind starts incinerating the unicorn, you know things are going south in the real world.
Why the Audience Rating Varies So Much
Honestly, your reaction to this movie depends on your own history.
Younger viewers often see it as a "relatable" portrayal of how toxic relationships start—the way you ignore red flags because the "high" of the romance feels like magic. Adult viewers often find it harder to watch. There’s a sense of wanting to jump through the screen and pull Davina out of that car.
It’s a "tough watch." It deals with:
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- Emotional gaslighting.
- Physical abuse.
- The burden of being a young caregiver.
- Underage drinking and rebellion.
Is It Worth Watching?
If you like "mumblecore" or highly visual indie dramas like Thirteen or It Felt Like Love, then yes. Natalia Dyer is incredible. She carries the whole movie with her eyes. You can see the exact moment her innocence breaks.
However, if you’re triggered by depictions of domestic violence or sexual assault, stay away. The film doesn't sugarcoat anything. It’s a 80-minute long "lifting of the veil."
Actionable Takeaways for Viewers
If you're planning to watch I Believe in Unicorns or are researching it for a younger person, here is the real-world breakdown:
- Check the Trigger Warnings: Don't ignore them. The film features scenes of sexual violence and physical domestic abuse.
- Look Past the "Unicorns": The animation is a metaphor. If you want a fantasy movie, watch The Last Unicorn instead. This is a gritty drama.
- Watch the Performance, Not Just the Plot: Natalia Dyer’s work here explains why she became a star. It’s a masterclass in vulnerability.
- Use it as a Conversation Starter: For older teens (17+), this movie can actually be a good tool to talk about red flags in relationships and why "saving" someone who is broken usually doesn't work.
The I Believe in Unicorns rating reflects a film that is technically accomplished but emotionally exhausting. It’s a beautiful nightmare that reminds us why we stop believing in fairy tales in the first place.