By Daniel Paiz

Prepare yourself for supernatural stabbing and different ways to process grief as Cypher Flicks reviews “Death of a Unicorn”. The A24 horror comedy arrives in theaters March 27th and features a surprisingly stacked cast led by Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, and Will Poulter; Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, and Anthony Carrigan also have important roles to play.

Head into this film without expectations or preconceived ideas and you likely enjoy the bizarreness onscreen. Horror and comedy work better that way, honestly. Also, prepare for some stabbing.

Summary of Supernatural

Unicorns are creatures that haven’t been in the spotlight for quite some time, outside of perhaps schoolbook folders and My Little Pony. That all changes here. Art aficionados will appreciate the “Hunt of the Unicorn” (1495-1505) being a point of reference for how to try and understand these magnificent beasts, which make quite the smashing entrance.

A spoiler-free review follows as Ridley (Ortega) and her father, Elliot (Rudd) are driving to an important meeting with the Leopold family in the woods. The Leopolds (Grant, Leoni, and Poulter) are a grotesquely wealthy family who have made their money in medical research and other areas unmentioned. Odell Leopold (Grant) is clearly dying, and Elliot is there to set up some legal protections for his impending doom. Before any meetings happen, however, some careless driving alters plans.

A unicorn is hit by Elliot, Ridley bonds with the unicorn, the Leopolds uncover this fender bender, and everything begins to fall apart. That unicorn had parents, and they are not happy; the “Hunt of the Unicorn” might just be reversed to best describe the rest of the film.

Past, Present, and Future Evil

Odell (Grant), Belinda (Leoni), and Shepard (Poulter) truly are a triad of generational evil. Odell is of the old world when it comes to his interest in taking from other cultures in Africa, Asia, and the Blackfoot tribe in the Americas. Because he’s conquered other men with his wealth, the last thing he cannot buy or lord power over is his health. Thus, he seeks an elixir, or in this case, a legendary creature to save him.

Belinda is very much a character based in the present day, working to weasel her way and talk people into what she wants. A Devil’s advocate of sorts, she retools info to make her points sound humane when in fact they’re quite the opposite.

Shepard is one collecting as much as he can. Crypto, drugs, favor with other wealthy types, this guy follows Belinda’s lead in terms of reframing anything to sound good. It would be funnier to witness if it wasn’t tiresome how he clearly has no code outside of self-gratification.

Interestingly enough, all three characters names have some nefarious backgrounds. With a bit of research, the name Odell ties to meaning wealth or power. Belinda gets a double whammy of meaning, tying together beauty and serpent. Sheperd tends to refer to sheep herders as mentioned in the Bible, although those who gathered and led others astray were not looked upon kindly (foreshadowing alert).

Suffice it to say, these three will have you shaking your head throughout the film (albeit Sheperd will have you slightly marveling at how he never gives up on spinning arguments).

Underrated Everyman

Griff (Carrigan) is you and me and everyone we know when working in customer service or dealing with oblivious clients. There’s only so much someone can take, and when an employer or customer starts seeing you as stabbing fodder, it’s time to move on. Griff is probably the second-best character throughout this experience after Ridley.

The storyline seems to try and utilize Griff as an example of the working class overlooked by the wealthy, or a means to further serve the greedy. But, he works better as an embodiment of another variety: ethics and a conscious of sorts. There’s little pondering of what’s right and wrong initially, as action is prioritized over thought.

However, as consequences meet selfish actions, that paradigm shifts for those not closely tied to the Leopolds. Being unwilling to read the gory writing on the lawn will not preserve one for long. Griff does what any rational everyman would do.

Grief Unprocessed

Losing family is very tough, and when someone loses a wife and a mother, that leaves a hole of sorts. Ridley and Elliot clearly haven’t patched that hole. Jenna Ortega’s portrayal does a wonderful job of conveying that patching hasn’t even been on the table. Paul Rudd’s efforts to show Elliot’s missteps via diving into his work to provide for Ridley slightly delivers, but that gets explained later.

Grief is never an easy task to address. However, it is something that can lead to healing once worked through. Elliot’s reluctance to do so with his daughter adds tension to a story drowning in supernatural wonder and terror. While one might have good intentions, it can lead to making further mistakes. Continuing to help the Leopolds as the plot unfolds is the embodiment of good intentions paving a hellish ending. Thankfully, the equally stubborn Ridley finally gets through to Elliot.

Final Verdict

Unicorns want to take care of their own and have no interest in humans. Ridley, who has the least life experience out of the whole group can see and understand this. The bond between unicorn and maiden (“Hunt of the Unicorn” focuses on a maiden calming the creatures) is an interesting relationship to follow. Also, these unicorns change colors based off of what actions they must take (angry justice a dark horse maketh!) which is another intriguing addition.

One has to wonder, based off of what we see when the horns are held (settle down), are these creatures time travelers? It almost seems like they can move freely about the constructs of time, or at least reverse time for themselves and anyone else they choose. Enjoy witnessing mystical creatures as they exact revenge on the greedy, and also learn that grief processed can help folks keep living.