Death of a Unicorn is an upcoming dark comedy-horror film written and directed by Alex Scharfman. The movie has been premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival on March 8, 2025, and will be released in US theaters by A24 on March 28, 2025. The film is produced by Scharfman, along with Drew P. Houpt, Lucas Joaquin, Tyler Campellone, Lars Knudsen, Tim Headington, and Theresa Steele Page.
The project was first announced in May 2023, with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega attached to star. The story follows Elliot Kintner (Rudd) and his teenage daughter Ridley (Ortega) as they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat hosted by Elliot’s boss, Dell Leopold. Leopold, a billionaire pharmaceutical CEO, discovers the unicorn’s miraculous healing properties and seeks to exploit them.
As the plot unfolds, the consequences of their actions become increasingly perilous. The film explores themes of corporate greed and the unforeseen repercussions of exploiting nature’s wonders. Death of a Unicorn also features performances by Richard E. Grant as Dell Leopold, Téa Leoni, and Will Poulter in supporting roles.
Plot, Cast, and all you need to know about Death of a Unicorn
Death of a Unicorn is an upcoming dark comedy-horror film that explores themes of corporate greed and the unforeseen consequences of exploiting nature’s wonders. The story centers on Elliot Kintner and his teenage daughter, Ridley, who accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat hosted by Elliot’s boss, Dell Leopold. Leopold, a billionaire pharmaceutical CEO, discovers the unicorn’s miraculous healing properties and seeks to exploit them.
Filming for Death of a Unicorn began in July 2023 in Hungary. The production was granted a waiver to continue during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, as A24, the studio behind the film, operates independently and is not part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival on March 8, 2025, and is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States by A24 on March 28, 2025. As of now, there is no information regarding its availability on streaming platforms.
The cast features:
Paul Rudd as Elliot Kintner, a father who becomes entangled in the unicorn’s discovery. Rudd is known for his roles in Ant-Man and This Is 40.
Jenna Ortega as Ridley Kintner, Elliot’s teenage daughter. Ortega has gained acclaim for her performances in Wednesday and Scream.
Richard E. Grant as Dell Leopold, the billionaire pharmaceutical CEO. Grant’s notable works include Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Loki.
Téa Leoni as Belinda Leopold, Dell’s wife. Leoni is recognized for her roles in Madam Secretary and “Fun with Di*k and Jane.
Will Poulter as Dell’s son. Poulter has appeared in films such as The Revenant and Midsommar.
Anthony Carrigan as Griff, the Leopolds’ butler. Carrigan is known for his role in the TV series Barry.
Sunita Mani as a scientist. Mani has been featured in GLOW and Mr. Robot.
Jessica Hynes as the Leopolds’ family personal assistant. Hynes is known for her work in Spaced and Years and Years.
Steve Park as a scientist. Park has appeared in Fargo and A Serious Man.
Death of a Unicorn brings together a talented ensemble cast under the direction of Alex Scharfman, promising a unique blend of dark humor and horror.
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Arvind is a Senior Writer and Editor at Hilvaro, specializing in anime, entertainment, and pop culture. With a BSc in Transportation Technology, his passion for storytelling led him to a career in journalism. He has previously contributed to Sportskeeda and GameRant, covering anime and entertainment with a keen eye for detail.
Outside writing, Arvind loves gaming and is fond of anime, binge-watching movies and television series. He spends some of his free time listening to rock music and writing poetry. What Arvind appreciates most about pop culture is the theme that makes it more alive and engaging for this generation; thus the possibility of such content reaching readers across the globe.
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