Cast of Death of a Unicorn – Full Cast, Release Date & Reviews

Alex Scharfman’s feature debut, Death of a Unicorn, arrived in 2025 with a premise as unusual as its title. The film brings together Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father and daughter whose routine road trip collides with the fantastical in the most literal way possible. Distributed by A24, the dark fantasy comedy horror hybrid quickly moved from its world premiere at South by Southwest to a nationwide theatrical release. This article breaks down the film’s cast, release timeline, critical reception, and where it stands in the current genre landscape.

The story follows Elliot Kintner (Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Ortega) as they accidentally strike and kill a unicorn while driving to a weekend retreat owned by Elliot’s billionaire boss. What initially seems like a bizarre tragedy spirals into corporate exploitation when the boss tries to harness the creature’s miraculous regenerative properties. The result is a satirical look at greed, family, and the consequences of messing with nature.

Below is everything that has been confirmed about the film so far, based on official databases and review aggregators.

Who Is in the Cast of Death of a Unicorn?

The ensemble cast is anchored by two well-known performers whose on-screen relationship drives the story. Here are the key insights about the cast and the production:

• Paul Rudd plays Elliot Kintner, a father caught between his daughter and his demanding employer.
• Jenna Ortega takes on the role of Ridley Kintner, Elliot’s daughter.
• Richard E. Grant appears as Odell, and Téa Leoni plays Belinda.
• Will Poulter portrays a character named Shepard.
• Jessica Hynes is listed as Shaw, and Anthony Carrigan also features in a supporting capacity.
• Alex Scharfman both wrote and directed the film, marking his feature-length directorial debut.

What Is the Release Date for Death of a Unicorn?

Theatrical Debut

A24 gave Death of a Unicorn a wide theatrical release on March 28, 2025. This placed the film in theaters during the competitive spring season.

Festival Premiere

Before its commercial run, the film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival on March 8, 2025. Festival screenings often serve as an early indicator of critical and audience reactions.

Where Can I Watch Death of a Unicorn?

Streaming on HBO Max

According to Wikipedia, Death of a Unicorn became available to stream on HBO Max beginning July 25, 2025. This follows a standard theatrical window for A24 releases.

Digital Availability

There is a discrepancy between sources regarding earlier digital availability. Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming date of April 29, 2025. It is possible this date refers to a premium digital rental or purchase launch before the HBO Max debut, though this has not been explicitly confirmed by the same sources.

What Is Death of a Unicorn About?

The plot centers on Elliot and Ridley Kintner, a father and daughter who accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while traveling to a weekend retreat. The retreat belongs to Elliot’s billionaire boss, Odell (Richard E. Grant), and his wife Belinda (Téa Leoni).

Rather than reporting the incident, the corporate-minded boss sees an opportunity to exploit the creature’s body for its miraculous regenerative or curative properties. This sets off a chain of events that blends dark humor with fantasy horror, as the family and their associates discover that a unicorn is not a passive magical creature to be harvested.

What Are the Reviews and Ratings for Death of a Unicorn?

Critical reception has been mixed since the film’s release. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 53% approval rating based on 214 critic reviews. The critics’ consensus notes that it gets some charm from the Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega father-daughter pairing but is otherwise uneven.

On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film scored 51 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. With no audience score widely circulated at this stage, the critical consensus points to a film with strong central performances that struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout its 104-minute runtime.

Is There a Trailer for Death of a Unicorn?

Yes, A24 released official trailers promoting the film’s spring 2025 release. The trailers confirmed the in-theaters date of March 28, 2025, and showcased the film’s blend of family road trip dynamics and surreal unicorn horror. Trailers are available on A24’s official YouTube channels.

When Did Death of a Unicorn Premiere and Release?

1. Project officially announced with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega attached to lead.
2. World premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 8, 2025.
3. Theatrical release by A24 on March 28, 2025.
4. Possible digital release on April 29, 2025 per Rotten Tomatoes.
5. HBO Max streaming debut on July 25, 2025 per Wikipedia.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the Film?

How Does Death of a Unicorn Fit into Its Genre?

Death of a Unicorn falls into a niche occupied by satirical dark comedies that use fantasy elements to critique human behavior. The film’s premise—corporate executives exploiting a mythical creature—echoes the social commentary found in works like The Lobster or Sorry to Bother You, though it leans more explicitly into horror and gore. The pairing of Paul Rudd, known for comedic roles, with Jenna Ortega, known for horror and drama, suggests a deliberate effort to balance humor with tension.

Where Does the Information About Death of a Unicorn Come From?

The core facts about the film are sourced from established entertainment databases and review aggregators. The information has been cross-referenced to ensure accuracy.

“A father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while traveling to a weekend retreat, where the father’s billionaire boss tries to exploit the creature’s miraculous regenerative or curative properties.”

— Wikipedia plot summary for Death of a Unicorn

“Death of a Unicorn gets some charm from the Paul Rudd/Jenna Ortega father-daughter pairing but is otherwise uneven.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

What Do We Know About Death of a Unicorn So Far?

Death of a Unicorn is a 2025 dark fantasy comedy horror film written and directed by Alex Scharfman. It features a strong central cast led by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, with a supporting lineup including Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni, and Will Poulter. The film premiered at SXSW, was released theatrically by A24 on March 28, 2025, and began streaming on HBO Max in July 2025. Critical reception has been mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes rating it at 53% and Metacritic scoring it 51 out of 100. For those interested in similar ensemble-driven films, check out the Cast of the Creator – Complete Cast and Characters Guide or the Cast of Towards Zero (TV Series) – Full List of Actors and Characters.

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