Death of a Unicorn
Elliot (Paul Rudd) is Legal council to a pharmaceutical CEO, Odell (Richard E. Grant), who’s health is in steady decline. So, when a weekend visit at Odell’s family estate is scheduled to discuss succession and legal matters it would appear everything is on the up and up. But, prior to their arrival, Elliot and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) have had the unfortunate and tragic experience of accidentally hitting a unicorn standing in the road with their rental car; but, killing the magical beast could have ramifications much worse than either would have imagined. Following the tales and tapestries uncovered from medieval times, Ridley and Elliot find themselves caught up in a wrestle between the magical and the entitled, a crisis that can only be solved with entrails and blood, hold on to your hat, the unicorn retribution is about to begin.
Written and Directed by Alex Scharfman this dark comedy doesn’t aim to innovate the concepts surrounding the classic monster revenge genre; but instead plays out in straightforward and expected fashion yet having a blast all the while. Quick witted jabs and gags keep the chuckles bubbling as the splatter fest rolls on, albeit, we’re not talking full on knee slapper or awards for most creative death sequences, but the basic premise is fun and the ensemble carries the weight well. In particular the underplayed and common man conscience of Anthony Carrigan’s Griff, the family butler/servant, steals much of the show with his balanced doe eyed seething rage, well done. Plus with a runtime of one hour and forty seven minutes, welcomes are pushed but not overstayed. Looking for your offbeat counter-programming to March madness, Death of a Unicorn might just fit the bill, rated R.