Death of a Unicorn

Death of a Unicorn

Year: 2025

Runtime: 1 h 44 m

Language: english

Director: Alex Scharfman

Echo Score: 40
comedyfantasyhorrorthriller

While traveling to a weekend retreat, a father and daughter accidentally kill a unicorn. Their destination is a secluded gathering hosted by the father’s wealthy boss, who intends to harness the unicorn’s extraordinary healing abilities.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Death of a Unicorn (2025) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Death of a Unicorn (2025), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Elliot Kintner, portrayed by Paul Rudd, and his teenage daughter Ridley, played by Jenna Ortega, embark on a trip to the opulent estate of Elliot’s employer, Odell Leopold, represented by Richard E. Grant. The journey begins with Elliot battling an allergic reaction, while Ridley appears unfazed and disengaged from the travel experience.

As fate would have it, their road trip takes a strange turn when they accidentally impact a baby unicorn with their vehicle. Stopping to investigate, Ridley is drawn to the glowing horn of the unicorn. In a surreal twist, the horn transports her to a psychedelic world filled with mind-boggling visuals. However, the moment is cut short as Elliot arrives, tragically determined to end the creature’s suffering with a tire iron.

Upon reaching the Leopold estate, the duo encounters Odell, who is gravely ill, alongside his wife, Belinda, played by Téa Leoni, and their son, Shepard, portrayed by Will Poulter. While Elliot seeks to finalize a business deal, Ridley grapples with the aftermath of their accident. The unsettling scene escalates when their vehicle begins to shake, revealing the still-living unicorn attempting to break free, only to be lethally shot by Shaw, played by Jessica Hynes.

A chilling transformation unfolds as the onlookers notice that both Ridley and Elliot have been inexplicably cured of their ailments after coming into contact with the unicorn’s blood. Captivated by this miraculous property, Odell mobilizes scientists, including Dr. Song, played by Steve Park, and Dr. Bhatia, portrayed by Sunita Mani, to investigate and harvest the unicorn for medical breakthroughs.

Yet, while Elliot is drawn deeper into Odell’s ambitions, Ridley becomes increasingly uncomfortable with how the unicorn is being exploited. Following a successful extraction of the horn’s essence that cures Odell, the plot thickens as Shepard experiments with the horn, leading to a profound connection with the creature that echoes Ridley’s own emotional bond. As a bizarre aurora borealis manifests in the sky, it signals the impending chaos.

The tranquility shatters when a menacing black unicorn crashes the party, violently attacking Dr. Song and leaving destruction in its wake. As Elliot frantically tries to safeguard Ridley, she attempts to connect with the black unicorn, which unfortunately is interrupted by the arrival of armed guards. The unicorn escapes, but not for long; a deadly pursuit ensues into the woods.

Elliot’s quest spirals into a harrowing confrontation with the black unicorn’s parents, as the plot unveils the terrible cost of their scientific curiosity. Ridley’s revelation about the unicorn’s regenerative abilities adds a new layer of urgency. Nevertheless, the stakes rise further when the adults fail to control the unleashed force of nature, leading to horrifying carnage in their ranks.

As tragedy unfolds, the lines between right and wrong blur dramatically for Elliot. When the black unicorns retaliate with vengeance, multiple casualties emerge, including his colleagues and family. In a gripping climax, Ridley, seeking to mend the rift caused by the theft of the horn, becomes an unwilling pawn in a deadly game orchestrated by Shepard, who envisions dark prospects for the unicorns.

With a fierce struggle punctuated by betrayal and loss, the narrative culminates in a heart-wrenching father-daughter moment as they confront their fate. Just as all hope seems lost, the benevolent unicorns intervene, wielding their mystical powers to restore the fallen. The passage concludes with Elliot and Ridley unexpectedly spirited away, as law enforcement arrives, misinterpreting the chaos as a string of murders.

In a twist of fate, the unicorns make their timely entrance, charging at the cop cars, ultimately leading to the hopeful possibility of reclaiming their peace amidst the horror they endured. As the story wraps up, Elliot and Ridley’s bond is fortified by their extraordinary journey, and they prepare to tackle the mysteries life continues to throw their way.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Death of a Unicorn?

Still wondering what the ending of Death of a Unicorn (2025) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

Sometime in the climax, the unicorns escape from the hunters and attack those who came after them, killing several members of the hunting party. Elliot, in a self-sacrificial act, uses his knowledge of the unicorns’ gentle nature to lure them away from his daughter, allowing her to escape. Later, Shep Leopold devises a plan that involves holding Ridley at arrow-point to lure the unicorns, knowing they are drawn to pure-hearted individuals. In the chaos that ensues, Elliot stabs Shep with a severed unicorn horn and, in a twist typical of the surreal tone of the film, is also pierced with Shep’s arrow. Miraculously, the unicorns have the power to heal wounds, and Elliot is brought back to life.

In the chaos of their actions, Elliot, Ridley, and the Leopold butler are ultimately arrested. As their vehicle is taken by the police, the unicorns interfere, blocking the car and causing a crash. The film concludes ambiguously, ending with the sound of a crash, leaving it unclear whether Elliot and Ridley survived or if they were revived by the unicorns.

The real message of the ending is less about the fate of the characters and more about the ongoing cycle of exploitation. The unicorns, symbolic of innocence and natural beauty, are shown to be vulnerable to human greed. The ending prompts viewers to consider whether another corporation will come along and repeat the cycle of damaging exploitation, suggesting that, in a world driven by capitalism, such mythic creatures could easily be reduced to commodities once again. The story leaves us with a reflection on the myth of innocence lost and the enduring greed that threatens to consume what is pure and magical.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:03

Unlock the Full Story of Death of a Unicorn

Don't stop at just watching — explore Death of a Unicorn in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Death of a Unicorn is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Death of a Unicorn Timeline

Track the full timeline of Death of a Unicorn with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Death of a Unicorn Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death of a Unicorn

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Death of a Unicorn. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death of a Unicorn

Death of a Unicorn Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Death of a Unicorn? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Death of a Unicorn Ending Explained

More About Death of a Unicorn

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