Death of a Unicorn

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