SXSW Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd Are Up Against Unicorns in A24’s Offbeat Fantasy Comedy “Death of a Unicorn”
What would you do if you discovered a unicorn with the power to heal any and all illnesses? A24 assembles a legendary ensemble cast for their offbeat fantasy comedy Death of a Unicorn, starring Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Will Poulter, Tea Leoni, Richard E. Grant and Anthony Carrigan. The film follows Ridley (Ortega) as she reluctantly joins her father Elliot (Rudd) on a trip to a wilderness reserve to meet with his high profile bosses in the hope of securing a life-changing promotion. Both are clearly still struggling with the recent death of Ridley’s mother, leaving a mountain-sized wedge between them. But Elliot promises that once they meet with Odell (Grant) and Belinda (Leoni) Leopold, their lives will change forever. Cue the unicorn that walks directly in front of their car.
Will Poultier’s Shepherd, who we meet once Ridley and Elliot finally arrive at the Leopold lodge, steals every scene he’s in. Shepherd is a pompous and pretentious only child primed to take over the family business once his terminally ill father finally passes on. But once the dead unicorn’s blood exhibits some supernatural healing properties, the Leopold’s quickly discover that Odell isn’t the only person they can save. Or the only person willing to pay billions to be healed.
This film plays as an outrageous horror comedy with some epic gore and hilarious one liners while commentating on some hefty topics like capitalism, health care, learning from our own history and even fulfilling our destinies. Ortega shines as Ridley, proving once again that she has the allure and magnetism to lead her own stories, even if she’s covered in purple unicorn blood. The film doesn’t veer far (or at all) from standard parameters, leaving little room for surprises or shocks. This runs the risk of playing tedious or repetitive at times, especially if audiences don’t resonate with the quirky humour or deliveries on screen. The cast acts as the lively heartbeat to this film and do well in keeping us engaged, even if we aren’t emotionally connected to the story, its characters or its stakes.
The best part about Death of a Unicorn is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It begins as a witty eat-the-rich satire with compelling characters and an eclectic setting that brings a rustic opulence to the background of every scene. Carrigan’s Griff is another scene-stealing-standout, playing the role of begrudging butler with such a subtle yet captivating humour that brings laughs to nearly every uncomfortable moment he’s part of (spoiler—there are many).
Though, the issues come from the film’s uncompromising dedication to classic structure. The movie presents no opportunity for audiences to be surprised, despite its outlandish premise, playing into familiar plot points and tropes despite the biting comedy we find in every scene. It plays as predictable for most of its runtime and fails to deliver anything fresh beyond its very original concept. With endless opportunities to build on the lore of the unicorns, the “monsters” remained a simple plot device until the final act. The cast and their comedic deliveries are the highlight of this film, though there is something to be said about Ortega and Rudd’s oddly familiar performances.
A common criticism we see in the media pertaining to the film’s main stars is that both Ortega and Rudd act in one note… and their performances in Death of a Unicorn are no different. Paul Rudd’s Elliot is obsessed with ensuring that he and Ridley are set financially which, though might seem noble, results in him refusing to leave the lodge even after Ridley assures him staying is a bad idea. It’s a tragically classic case of angsty teen meets misunderstood parent. A you don’t even care about me meets I’m doing this because I care about you situation. Though this incites a layered dynamic for Rudd and Ortega, there’s a certain brevity missing from the drama between them, resulting in some faulty chemistry. It doesn’t feel palpable or real. It doesn’t feel like a father fighting to protect his daughter and a daughter fighting to be heard by her father. It just feels like Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega acting in a movie together. Which disarms its own payoffs, especially at the end.
Although it’s not a perfect film, Death of a Unicorn is a riot and is certainly a colourfully original project that belongs on the shelf amongst A24’s diverse repertoire. We’re all eager to see Ortega step back into her black shoes and braids when Wednesday Season 2 releases later this year, but we’re all equally as excited to see Will Poultier in more comedies! The message here is to fight for your family, do the right thing and to NEVER TEXT AND DRIVE. You might hit a mythological creature on the way to your boss’ house!
Watch the trailer for Death of a Unicorn below
[Review by guest blogger Jurgen Sosa]