Paul Rudd Takes on a New Role in Dark Comedy-Horror 'Death of a Unicorn'

In the fresh mix of comedy and horror, Death of a Unicorn features Paul Rudd playing Elliot, a timid father who finds himself in an unusual predicament after accidentally hitting a unicorn with his car. To his dismay, he soon realizes this is far from an ordinary road mishap. Uncertain if the unicorn is truly dead, Elliot resorts to decisively hitting it with a tire iron—an act he describes as “thoughtful, but gruesome.” This description fittingly encapsulates the film’s mood, highlighting that striking a unicorn is drastically different from a mundane squirrel hit-and-run. These celestial creatures are depicted as furious and organized, transitioning the film from a dark comedic tone to a thrilling spectacle of unicorn revenge.

Crafted by writer and director Alex Scharfman, Death of a Unicorn made its theatrical debut on March 28. The story follows Paul Rudd’s Elliot and his on-screen daughter, played by Jenna Ortega, as they journey through the forest and accidentally run over a unicorn. To their astonishment, the unicorn’s body possesses restorative abilities, placing Elliot in a moral quandary. As the film unfolds, Elliot struggles to reconcile his role as a caring father with the ethical dilemmas he faces, providing viewers with a narrative that skillfully balances humor with horror elements.