Movies

Death of a Unicorn’s Forced Fantasy Might Make You Long For a Regular Horse

BBG News

In recent years, it’s become more challenging to attract audiences of all ages to movie theaters, but one film genre has managed to maintain its charm: Fantasy and fantasy-horror. These movies, with their intricate storylines and outlandish plots, have been particularly popular among young adults as well as older viewers. It seems that people never truly grow out of their fascination with the fantastical. For instance, a movie about a grieving father and his daughter accidentally hitting a unicorn on a winding country road might draw in both younger and older audiences who still hold onto their childhood wonder – possibly so.

In “Death of a Unicorn,” a film directed by Alex Scharfman and distributed by A24, audiences are drawn into a whirlwind of eccentricity. Paul Rudd portrays Elliott, a grieving father and mild-mannered compliance lawyer, struggling to bridge the gap with his discontented college-aged daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), following the loss of her mother. During a business trip, they encounter an unusual creature on the road, which they later realize is a unicorn. Upon inspecting it, Elliott, in a moment of compassion, tries to help the injured animal, only for his actions to have unexpected consequences. Ridley, moved by the unicorn’s plight, experiences a transcendental state, while Elliott, in an attempt to end its suffering, may have unleashed something far greater. Now, he must face the repercussions of his actions.

Elliott and Ridley manage to put the dead, unwilling-to-remain-so creature into their car’s backseat. This unusual beast, not only able to eliminate acne but also possessing healing powers, miraculously brings Odell back to health and ignites a greedy streak within him. The unicorn horn could potentially solve various global human issues and significantly boost Odell’s wealth.

Odell’s wife, portrayed by the incredibly talented yet long-neglected Téa Leoni, and his idle rich son, Will Poulter, jump on this opportunity, while Elliott attempts to maintain a moral balance. Ridley, who had communicated with the injured unicorn due to her pure heart, is appalled by the situation – not only because of her virtuous nature but also after discovering, through online research, that damaging the mythical unicorn could incur its wrath as depicted in some fragments of ancient medieval unicorn tapestries.

Understood? The movie titled “Death of a Unicorn” is designed to be an eccentric, illogical puzzle film, similar to Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan’s 2022 blockbuster, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, which garnered numerous Oscars. While the complex, chaotic plot of that movie didn’t appeal to everyone, it did offer a groundbreaking platform for Asian actors (including Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, who both won Academy Awards). The film also touched upon philosophies seldom discussed in the Western world, and emphasized the significance of family, which is always a winning theme.

The Unicorn’s Demise” subtly explores the significance of family bonds, albeit indirectly. Characters Elliott and Ridley must find a way to reconcile, and by the film’s conclusion—as ruthless, avaricious humans face gruesome yet fitting retributions at the sharp end of a unicorn’s horn—they do so. The movie serves as a lampooning of the greedy, wealthy elite, thus it doubles as a satirical commentary on societal issues. However, a film’s theme does not inherently make it more valuable, and in this case, the moral lesson is merely a shallow pretext for portraying humans hunting mystical creatures in a brutal manner, with the assurance that they will eventually face consequences. The movie offers an intriguing perspective on what real-life unicorns might resemble: we often picture them as delicate, tranquil creatures for children’s birthday cards, but Scharfman has envisioned them—particularly when enraged—as fearsome, rampaging beasts with reddish eyes and pointed incisors, akin to equine dinosaurs. Despite wanting the unicorns to triumph over humans, one may not find their appearance particularly appealing.

Primarily, the movie “Death of a Unicorn” seems to offer more strain than enjoyment: its narrative appears scattered without any apparent purpose. Despite the actors being charming and dedicated, they’re trapped within a disorganized storyline. A24 is renowned for producing films that are set in surreal alternative worlds or intentionally confuse their viewers, such as “Everything Everywhere All at Once“, “I Saw the TV Glow“, “Green Room“, Ari Aster’s “Hereditary ” and “Midsommar“, Robert Eggers’ trilogy of “The Witch“, “The Lighthouse“, and “Nosferatu“. Regarding these films, “Death of a Unicorn” might be the least impactful and most unintentionally monotonous among them.

A24, a studio known for providing filmmakers with creative freedom, has offered us films like Moonlight, Lady Bird, Aftersun, Minari, Eighth Grade, The Zone of Interest, and many more. These movies not only depict familiar subjects but also challenge our perspectives on them: they delve into the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, explore the thoughts and actions of ordinary evil individuals, and offer insights into the intricacies of adapting to a new environment that the term “immigrant experience” fails to capture. Essentially, these films are about specific topics, but they transcend their subjects, offering profound insights that go beyond what one might initially expect. While there’s no problem with fantastical elements in cinema, overly complex and routine plots can lose their appeal as an escape from reality. Instead, we crave the ordinary yet extraordinary beauty of a simple horse, a reminder of the miracle that exists in the everyday.

Read More

2025-03-28 16:06

Previous post Richard Osman Unveils Shocking Truth Behind Dancing On Ice’s ‘Resting’ Decision!
Next post Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Gets a June Release Date