Death of a Unicorn: A B-Movie Fantasy with Generational Commentary

The film 'Death of a Unicorn' seems to bridge a gap between moral children's fantasy and midnight-movie violence, offering a peculiar cocktail of CGI unicorns and familial drama. Paul Rudd stars as Elliot Kintner, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally strikes a baby unicorn belonging to the wealthy Leopold family—a fictional dynasty reminiscent of the Sackler family. The film's creative team includes writer-director Alex Scharfman, who injects a modern and satirical twist into a classic horror template. His endeavor reflects a critique of generational differences through the Leopold family's dynamics. The thematic undertones paint the Leopold patriarch as a symbol of relentless Boomer ambition, juxtaposed with his flawed family—a liberal Gen Xer wife and a tech-savvy millennial son—alluding to Scharfman's expectation that Generation Z, represented by Kintner's daughter Ridley, can guide us in a new direction. A24, known for its roster of unique horror films like 'The Witch' and 'Hereditary', backs 'Death of a Unicorn,' returning to its storytelling formula of assembling unwary participants in secluded locales for eventual mayhem. While the movie garners some predictability, with its adherence to venerable horror tropes, it still provides intriguing aspects such as Jenna Ortega's portrayal of Ridley. Ridley, a Gen Z emblem, bypasses typical tropes by focusing on her stark dismissal of material security in favor of basic human survival. Scharfman's piece offers narrative layers wrapped in a hypnotic blend of entertainment and mild satire, capturing viewers intrigued by a fresh horror take or perhaps those searching for implicit societal critique veiled with mythical creatures. It's a film that seems aligned more for the younger generation, or at least those still in touch with youthful earnestness, ready to challenge established structures. However, the notion that youth alone can redefine our path is optimistic yet naive, echoing a tale as old as time. This movie's approach in addressing such generational themes while operating under a familiar B-movie rubric makes it worth a watch, if not for sheer entertainment, then for its subtle commentary.