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Comedy thriller

Death of a Unicorn (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Death of a Unicorn (2025) movie poster

Death of a Unicorn is a 2025 comedy thriller directed by Alex Scharfman, starring Paul Rudd as Elliot, Jenna Ortega and Richard E. Grant. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $16.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
52%
worldwide gross
$16.5M
Echo Score
40
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Death of a Unicorn (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Alex Scharfman
Genres
Comedy , Fantasy , Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Death of a Unicorn About?

The premise of Death of a Unicorn without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While traveling to a weekend retreat, a father and daughter accidentally kill a unicorn. Their destination is a secluded gathering hosted by the father’s wealthy boss, who intends to harness the unicorn’s extraordinary healing abilities.

Death of a Unicorn Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • unicorn
  • mythical creature
  • dark comedy
  • monster horror
  • creature
  • fairy tale creature in real world
  • mythological character in real world
  • father daughter relationship
  • scientists
  • rich family
  • hitting animal with car
  • father
+38 more
  • daughter
  • black comedy
  • death in title
  • dark fantasy
  • evil unicorn
  • unicorn horn
  • unicorn hunting
  • unicorn monster
  • stabbed by a unicorn
  • killer unicorn
  • dead mother
  • dead wife
  • man twiddles his wedding ring
  • photos
  • photograph
  • on the road
  • family business
  • blood magic
  • blood
  • airplane
  • killing an animal
  • girl listens to music on headphones
  • youth
  • death
  • female protagonist
  • four word title
  • sandwich
  • son tells mother to shut up
  • husband wife relationship
  • snoring
  • mother son relationship
  • rapid healing
  • cancer
  • father son relationship
  • x ray
  • calling
  • man wears glasses
  • eye sight
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Cast & crew

Death of a Unicorn Cast & Characters

Paul Rudd leads the cast as Elliot, with Jenna Ortega as Ridley and Richard E. Grant as Odell. Directed by Alex Scharfman; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Death of a Unicorn

· 13 more
Ratings

Death of a Unicorn Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Death of a Unicorn 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in sensory experience (30).

40 /100

Death of a Unicorn Echo Score Breakdown

Death of a Unicorn presents an ambitious blend of horror comedy and fantasy that ultimately feels uneven. The film’s production design and early pacing generate occasional intrigue, but an inconsistent narrative and flat character development undermine sustained engagement. Visual effects are frequently criticized for their low-budget appearance, and the satirical message rarely gains depth. While there are moments of genuine quirk and charm, they are too scattered to establish lasting impact or a strong overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits sporadic creativity alongside evident budget constraints. Production design often impresses with its varied set pieces and atmospheric touches. However, direction lacks consistent cohesion, and editing transitions can feel jarring. The overall visual style hints at ambition but is undermined by uneven execution across scenes.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast demonstrates sincerity but seldom achieves depth. Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd offer moments of engagement, and occasional supporting performances add interest. Yet many characters remain underwritten, leaving emotional beats unearned. Chemistry fluctuates, and overall, the character work feels serviceable but rarely resonant or fully developed.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Plot coherence and pacing prove uneven throughout the film. Early sequences establish an intriguing premise and brisk momentum, but the narrative soon fragments into predictable beats and repetitive commentary. The satirical themes lack fresh insight, and tonal shifts disrupt engagement. Although pockets of originality emerge, the overall flow feels disjointed, preventing sustained immersion in the story.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    When considering sensory experience, the film’s creature effects and CGI often fail to integrate convincingly, drawing attention for their low-budget appearance. Soundtrack and design deliver occasional moments of atmosphere, but these are sparse. Visual cohesion wavers between engaging B-movie charm and distraction by unconvincing effects. Overall, the sensory elements undercut the intended immersive experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers limited replay value once its initial novelty fades. A few moments of quirk and ambition may appeal on a second viewing, but the uneven narrative and unmemorable character arcs reduce incentive to revisit. Overall, the movie struggles to establish lasting appeal beyond its first watch.

Plot

Death of a Unicorn Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Death of a Unicorn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Elliot Kintner, portrayed by Paul Rudd, and his teenage daughter Ridley, played by Jenna Ortega, embark on a trip to the opulent estate of Elliot’s employer, Odell Leopold, represented by Richard E. Grant. The journey begins with Elliot battling an allergic reaction, while Ridley appears unfazed and disengaged from the travel experience.

As fate would have it, their road trip takes a strange turn when they accidentally impact a baby unicorn with their vehicle. Stopping to investigate, Ridley is drawn to the glowing horn of the unicorn. In a surreal twist, the horn transports her to a psychedelic world filled with mind-boggling visuals. However, the moment is cut short as Elliot arrives, tragically determined to end the creature’s suffering with a tire iron.

Full summary

The whole story of Death of a Unicorn, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Death of a Unicorn Box Office & Budget

Death of a Unicorn grossed $16.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 1.1 times what it cost. $12.9 million came from the US and Canada and $3.6 million (22%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.5M

1.1× its budget

US & Canada
$12.9M
International
$3.6M
Budget
$15M
US & Canada 78% Rest of the world 22%
Videos

Death of a Unicorn Trailers & Videos

15 videos: 3 trailers, 9 teasers and 3 clips.

All 15 videos
Death Of A Unicorn | Official Trailer HD | A24
  • Trailer Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer #2
  • Teaser Official Promo
  • Teaser Official Featurette
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Death of a Unicorn?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event prompts Elliot and Ridley's trip to the Leopold estate?

Details

Death of a Unicorn Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Death of a Unicorne” and “Unikorn'un Ölümü”.

Also known as
  • Death of a Unicorne
  • Unikorn'un Ölümü
  • 独角兽之死
  • Moartea unui Unicorn
  • Смерть единорога
  • Ükssarviku surm
  • La Muerte De Un Unicornio
  • Śmierć jednorożca
  • 데스 오브 유니콘
  • Cái Chết Của Kỳ Lân
  • A Morte de um Unicórnio
  • La Mort D'une Licorne
+14 more
  • מותו של חד קרן
  • مرگ یک تک شاخ
  • Смерть єдинорога
  • Vienaragio mirtis
  • Смъртта на еднорога
  • Taybuynuz atın ölümü
  • Vienradža nāve
  • Smrt jednorožce
  • Moartea unui Inorog
  • 獨角獸之死
  • موت وحيد القرن
  • เดธ ออฟ อะ ยูนิคอร์น
  • Smrt jednoroga
  • Смрт једнорога, რქაეულის სიკვდილი

Seen Death of a Unicorn?

FAQ

Death of a Unicorn FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Death of a Unicorn, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Death of a Unicorn?

Death of a Unicorn runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Death of a Unicorn released?

Death of a Unicorn was released on March 28, 2025.

Who directed Death of a Unicorn?

Death of a Unicorn was directed by Alex Scharfman.

Who is in the cast of Death of a Unicorn?

Death of a Unicorn stars Paul Rudd as Elliot, Jenna Ortega as Ridley and Richard E. Grant as Odell, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Death of a Unicorn make at the box office?

Death of a Unicorn grossed $16.5 million worldwide ($12.9 million domestic, $3.6 million international) on a budget of $15 million.

How is Death of a Unicorn rated?

Death of a Unicorn has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Death of a Unicorn have a post-credit scene?

No. Death of a Unicorn has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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