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Movies that have a successful afterlife on streaming after a rocky box office run aren't quite as rare as unicorns, but one such mystical beast has returned to the streaming charts. Death of a Unicorn, the fantastical black comedy featuring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father-daughter duo who have a deadly run-in with a creature of myth, is back in the HBO Max top ten after falling off the charts.

Distributed by indie production company A24, Death of a Unicorn was released in March to mixed reviews. It currently holds a 53% Rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but Collider's Nate Richard got more out of the film than most.

The dark comedy Death of a Unicorn is quietly becoming a streaming hit on HBO Max, despite flying under the radar when it first came out. This dark fantasy comedy horror movie marks the directorial debut of Alex Scharfman, who also wrote the film.

It stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father and daughter who accidentally kill a unicorn and then find themselves hunted by the magical creature’s parents. The film also features Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant in important supporting roles.

Death of a Unicorn first premiered at the South by Southwest Festival on March 8, 2025, and was released in theaters across North America by A24 on March 28, 2025.

The film received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 53% of 214 critics gave positive reviews, with the website saying, “Receiving some sparkle from Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega’s father-daughter rapport, Death of a Unicorn’s...

Patience Season 1 is coming to an end on Sunday (July 20).

The crime drama, which debuted on June 15 on PBS, is an adaptation of the French series Astrid et Raphaëlle. The show first aired earlier this year in the U.K.

In the Season 1 finale, police discover that a dead man with multiple identities had a history in eco-terrorism.

Of course, fans are wondering if there will be another season of the series.

Keep reading to find out more…

Yes, Patience is getting a second season – but it’s not confirmed yet whether it’s airing on PBS.

Show star Ella Maisy Purvis told TV Insider that Patience Season 2 production is already underway in the U.K.

She said that Season 2 will continue to address how neurodivergence is portrayed in media, adding: “Season 2 explores that a lot more.”

Patience was renewed by Channel 4 in May. Ella is returning as the titular character,...

Stars: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Park | Written and Directed by Alex Scharfman

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega co-star in this blackly satirical horror from debut writer-director Alex Scharfman. Produced by A24, it’s a refreshingly original creature feature that delivers a potent cocktail of dark humour, emotion and monster-related thrills.

Death of a Unicorn centres on compliance lawyer Eliot (Rudd) and his college-aged daughter Ridley (Ortega), who have had a difficult relationship since the death of Ridley’s mother, some time previously. On their way to a remote compound owned by cancer-stricken pharmaceutical billionaire Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), Eliot and Ridley accidentally knock down and kill a unicorn, which Ridley bonds with by touching its glowing horn, shortly before Eliot bashes its head in with a tire iron.

When they meet the rest of the...

For a show that’s been around longer than many of us have been alive, Doctor Who has had more than its fair share of spooky, weird, and wildly memorable villains. Over nearly six decades and a rotating carousel of regenerations, the Doctor has gone toe-to-toe with everything from clanking robots to living shadows.

And while most episodes toss in a monster-of-the-week just to stir up some trouble, a few baddies have stuck around—either by pure menace, brilliant writing, or the way they made the Doctor stumble. Because, let’s face it, it’s always juicier when the Doctor doesn’t have the upper hand.

It’s not just about who can cause the most chaos—it’s about the ones who get under your skin, the ones who leave the Doctor genuinely rattled. So here’s a look at twenty-five of Doctor Who’s most terrifying villains, ranked...

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the movies, TV shows, and live sports that will be available on the Max (soon to be called HBO Max) streaming service in July. The Max July 2025 lineup includes the feature films Sinners, A24’s On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Opus, and Death of a Unicorn, and Utopia’s I Love You Forever.

The schedule includes the HBO Original documentaries Billy Joel: And So It Goes and Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print, as well as the HBO Original series Rage. You can also catch Shark Week beginning on July 20.

Sinners Featured Programming

Films

Sinners (Warner Bros. Film)

Debuts July 4

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku,...

The latest in a long line of PBScrime dramas, Patience is a British crime thriller that has already proven incredibly popular, despite only debuting a week ago. Starring Heartstopper's Ella Maisy Purvis as autistic archivist Patience Evans and A Knight's Tale's Laura Fraser as Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf, the series sees this unlikely duo team up to not just solve crime, but change each other's lives forever. Currently, on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the PBS crime thriller has earned a huge 92% critics' score, with a strong 82% audience score to boot.

Although from just 12 ratings thus far, 92% is enough to prove to many that Patience is more than worth their time, with the UK's Channel 4 clearly agreeing, having already greenlit a second season before it had even hit US screens. Patience Season 2 officially began filming back in May 2025, with the ever-brilliant Doctor Who and Bridget Jones star Jessica Hynes joining the cast.

Exclusive: John Morton’s British sitcom series that has satirized the 2012 Olympics and the inner workings of the BBC is heading Stateside for a fictional soccer tournament.

The BBC has officially greenlit Twenty Twenty Six, with Hugh Bonneville reprising his iconic role as Ian Fletcher from previous shows Twenty Twelve and W1A.

He’ll be joined by a cast mixed with British and North American talent featuring Paulo Costanzo, Chelsey Crisp, Stephen Kunken, Nick Blood, Jimena Larraguivel (Patience and RSC), Alexis Michalik (A Love Story) and Belinda Stewart-Wilson.

Bonneville has previously played Fletcher in Twenty Twelve and W1A, which satirized the organizers behind the London 2012 Olympics and the the working culture at the BBC via a pair of critically-acclaimed, BAFTA-winning comedies. Clarkson’s Farm maker...

HBO Max has set premiere dates for two of A24‘s recent genre films, Opus and Death of a Unicorn.

Opus streams July 11 and debuts on HBO linear on July 12 at 8pm Et, while Death of a Unicorn streams July 25 and hits HBO on July 26 at 8pm Et.

In Opus, a young writer is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.

The satirical horror-thriller marks the feature debut of writer-director Mark Anthony Green.

Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich star with Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Young Mazino, Stephanie Suganami, Tatanka Means, and Tony Hale.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “Opus is at its best when it’s a campy satire of pop culture, led by two powerhouse performances, but...

A24 has set Max premiere dates for its recent films On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Opus, and Death of a Unicorn.

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl will hit streaming on Friday, July 4, making its linear debut on HBO on Monday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. Et. Opus streams Friday, July 11 and debuts on linear on Saturday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m. Et. Death of a Unicorn, meanwhile, makes its way to Max on Friday, July 25 and hits HBO on Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 p.m. Et.

Written and directed by Rungano Nyoni, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl takes us to an empty road in the middle of the night, where Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family. Opening in the Un Certain Regard section of last year’s Cannes Film Festival,...

Miss Austen fans, we have brilliant news. The historical series is getting a sequel, Miss Austen Returns, Deadline reports. The original British series, which encapsulates a very fictionalized version of the Austen family, was critically acclaimed and loved by fans. So, a follow-up is a great idea to delve into more aspects of the beloved family.

The upcoming series will be based on The Elopement by Gill Hornby, whose other work became the crux of the original series. While most details about the follow-up are kept under wraps, Keeley Hawes and key cast members are set to return. The original series was based on a score of letters between Jane and her sister Cassandra Austen and chronicles their lives and loves.

But How ‘Miss Austen Returns’?

Christine Langan, whose Bonnie Productions made the series, revealed that the idea mostly comes from Hornby’s follow-up novel, “which we optioned, and which...

Exclusive: Keeley Hawes and key cast are on board Miss Austen Returns, a follow-up to Masterpiece period drama Miss Austen, and which is in the works from Bonnie Productions.

Miss Austen was adapted from Gill Hornby’s novel of the same name. Christine Langan, whose Bonnie Productions made the series, tells Deadline that Hornby’s recently published follow-up, ‘The Elopement’, forms the spine of a new series Bonnie is working up with the title Miss Austen Returns.

Miss Austen writer Andrea Gibb is currently penning scripts. As with the earlier series, the show is expected to be a co-production with Masterpiece in association with Federation Stories and the BBC, which showed the first series in the UK.

With the new drama, plus Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s Berlin Film Festival competition title Hot Milk and Miss Austen already under its belt, Bonnie has worked up notable credits in film and TV. It was founded in 2020 by Langan,...

Voting for the 2025 Emmys officially opened today, and Gold Derby has spotted several intriguing strategies, omissions, and oddities in the ballots, which are available to view on the Television Academy website.

When it comes to the writing and directing categories, a popular strategy is to submit as few options as possible, so as not to split the vote. (Remember how Succession would only submit a single episode in writing each year? It won that race four seasons in a row.) That's why we're so surprised to see ABC's boat-themed medical drama Doctor Odyssey flooding the ballot 11 different times for Best Drama Directing. If the show can't pinpoint one or two stand-out directors out of Jen Lynch, Our Lady J, Tessa Blake, Paris Barclay, Crystle Roberson Dorsey, Brad Buecker, Millicent Shelton, Michael Medico, Steven Canals, Maggie Kiley, and John J. Gray, how are the voters supposed to?

Last year, Slow Horses...

Long before he was battling evil god-like computer programs with the star of Risky Business, Simon Pegg starred alongside Jessica Hynes in the British sitcom Spaced. The show was so beloved, over a thousand fans agreed to act like zombies in Shaun of the Dead for absolutely no pay.

One of the most memorable aspects of Spaced was Pegg’s character Tim’s love of Star Wars. But in the second season, his disappointment in the relatively recently-released Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace took him to some dark places, such as burning all of his Star Wars merch on a funeral pyre.

And verbally abusing a small child who simply wanted to purchase a Jar Jar Binks toy.

But these days, Pegg feels as though he may have gone a little too far in his prequel-bashing.

During a recent video interview with Variety, Pegg discussed Spaced’s Star Wars hostility, specifically...

First Pics Land Of Tom Hollander & Niamh Algar In Sky’s ‘The Iris Affair’

First pics have landed of Tom Hollander and Niamh Algar in Sky’s The Iris Affair from Neil Cross. The tense thriller follows enigmatic genius Iris Nixon (Algar), who cracks a string of complex online puzzles and is led to a piazza in Florence where she meets charismatic entrepreneur Cameron Beck (Hollander). He invites her to come and work for him to unlock a powerful and top-secret piece of technology. The show comes from the creator of Luther and is one of Sky’s buzziest upcoming dramas. More pics can be viewed below. It is made by Sky Studios and Fremantle. The Iris Affair will launch later this year.

BBC Adapting ‘Crookhaven’

The BBC is adapting J.J. Arcanjo’s Crookhaven as a kids TV series. The family adventure show is set at mysterious Crookhaven School where...

Fresh out of theaters, A24’s fantasy horror-comedy Death of a Unicorn starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd is now available on Premium VOD at home, and A24 put a Special Edition Blu-ray release up for pre-order today. It’s selling for $30 and shipping in July.

Death of a Unicorn‘s Blu-ray release from A24 features cover artwork by Tony Stella & extras including a Commentary with writer-director Alex Scharfman, an all-new featurette, deleted scenes, and six collectible postcards with behind the scenes photography.

Bonus Features include…

Commentary with Writer-Director Alex Scharfman “How to Kill a Unicorn” Featurette Deleted Scenes Six Collectible Postcards

Produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary), the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman. The cast also includes Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park.

In A24’s fantasy creature feature Death of a Unicorn, “A...

Beating Netflix’s (entirely unnecessary) remake of “Pride and Prejudice,” the BBC’s spinoff “The Other Bennet Sister” and French rom-com “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” to the proverbial punch, the 250th birthday celebrations of arguably Britain’s most cherished novelist begins with a four-part drama focusing on her elder sister.

For many literary scholars, Cassandra Austen is a villainess of Miss Norris-esque proportions. After all, her deliberate burning of her sibling’s vast personal correspondence — only 160 of her approximately 3,000 letters are still intact — largely thwarted any attempt to further understand the famously elusive author. However, “Miss Austen,” itself based on Gill Hornby’s same-named piece of historical fiction, does its best to exonerate her reputation as a cultural vandal.

The BBC original certainly comes with an impressive period drama pedigree. Director Aisling Walsh won a BAFTA for her post-war miniseries “Room at the Top,” while leading lady Keeley Hawes...

The A24 project Death of a Unicorn (it originally had an E at the end its title), which stars Paul Rudd (Ant-Man franchise) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and was executive produced by Hereditary/Midsommar/Beau Is Afraid director Ari Aster, reached theatres at the end of March. JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray wasn’t too impressed with the movie, giving it a 5/10 review that can be read at This Link – but if you’ve been looking forward to watching Death of a Unicorn at home, you’ll be glad to hear that the movie has already been given a digital release. You can check it out on Amazon’s Prime Video Here, where it’s available to rent for the price of $19.99 or purchase for $24.99.

A dark comedy, Death of a Unicorn marks the feature debut of writer/director Alex Scharfman, who co-founded the production company Secret Engine and has...

“Death of a Unicorn,” the new horror comedy from A24, follows the recent trend of Eat the Rich-themed stories. It is also a satirical look into the lives of the uber-rich. However, instead of showing the working class plotting against them, it shows the ignorant and self-aggrandizing upper class leading to its own demise. It’s the kind of conceit we have seen many times in recent years, whether through Mike White’s “The White Lotus,” Jesse Armstrong’s “Succession,” or Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness.” Still, it manages to bite now and then, mainly because of Will Poulter’s scene-stealing performance as a cocky rich brat. It ultimately ends on a complicated note of catharsis for its central characters. Let’s unpack the same.

Spoilers Ahead

Death of a Unicorn (2025) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

Written and directed by Alex Scharfman, “Death of a Unicorn” revolves around a father...

Two recent theatrical releases have made their debut at home today, joined by a brand new found footage nightmare, a cabin in the woods tale, and the arrival of a big… freaking… rat.

Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Fresh out of theaters, Christopher Landon’s Drop is now available to own or rent on digital platforms. Rent it for $19.99 or purchase it for $24.99.

Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”) and Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us) star as a couple on a blind first-date whose romantic dinner spirals into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Fahy plays Violet, a widowed mother on her first date in years, who arrives at an upscale restaurant where she is relieved that her date, Henry (Sklenar), is more charming and handsome than she expected. But their chemistry begins to curdle as Violet begins being irritated and then terrorized by a...

The legend comes home, as A24 has released Death of a Unicorn on Premium VOD for rent ($19.99) or purchase ($24.99).

The fantastical nightmare comedy is due out on Blu-ray in July.

Produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary), the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman.

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “The idea behind Death of a Unicorn is a novel one, and Scharfman’s commitment to over-the-top spectacle is commendable. But seeing the greedy elite get taken down in brutal, gory fashion should be far more satisfying than this is.

A24 has confirmed the release of only two horror films this year, both of which have already been released in theaters: Opus and Death of a Unicorn. Now, one of those films, the highly underrated Death of a Unicorn, is reportedly hitting digital platforms tomorrow. If you missed it on the big screen, don't miss the chance to stream it and experience it from the comfort of your own home.

Starting on Tuesday, April 29, Death of a Unicorn will reportedly be available to rent or buy through digital retailers such as Prime Video, Fandango at Home, Apple TV+, etc. As of April 28, you can currently pre-order the horror comedy on these sites for $24.99 before taxes. Once it officially releases on digital, the purchase price is also anticipated to remain at $24.99, while rental options will likely be offered for around $19.99. This is the typical pricing model for new A24 digital releases.

Settle the score with the Death of a Unicorn soundtrack on vinyl from A24.

The score is composed by Dan Romer and Giousuè Greco. It also features “Doa” by St. Vincent.

Pressed on majestic purple swirl vinyl, the album costs $30 and is expected to ship in June.

Side A:

I Don’t Think It’s Dead What’s In Your Car? What We Stand To Gain The Seven Tapestries Get It Cracking Here’s To Being Reborn

Side B:

Wherever They Take Us I Think I Made A Mistake Some Kind Of Current It Won’t Stay Dead Good Job, Partner Doa (St. Vincent)

In theaters now, Death of a Unicorn is a fantastical nightmare comedy from writer-director Alex Scharfman and producer Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary).

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

Give the capitalist world historical creatures (read that dinosaurs) or mythical ones (unicorns here), and it will try to monetize them in whatever way it can. This is evident in the Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega starrer Death of a Unicorn, where they encounter the incensed mythical creatures after their young one dies by accident. Next thing we know, humans are trying to harvest its healing abilities for self in the name of science, money and illicit substances?

While the monstrosity of the unicorns leaves many bloodied, you’ll see how these creatures are more human than many humans when they are on their killing spree in the A24 film. Despite the horrors, it’s satisfactory to see the rich dying to what they believe can tame like Average Joes in the horse world.

Editor’s NoteSpoilers of Death of a Unicorn will follow! The Mythical Creatures Were Saving Their...

Stars: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Park | Written and Directed by Alex Scharfman

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega co-star in this blackly satirical horror from debut writer-director Alex Scharfman. Produced by A24, it’s a refreshingly original creature feature that delivers a potent cocktail of dark humour, emotion and monster-related thrills.

Death of a Unicorn centres on compliance lawyer Eliot (Rudd) and his college-aged daughter Ridley (Ortega), who have had a difficult relationship since the death of Ridley’s mother, some time previously. On their way to a remote compound owned by cancer-stricken pharmaceutical billionaire Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), Eliot and Ridley accidentally knock down and kill a unicorn, which Ridley bonds with by touching its glowing horn, shortly before Eliot bashes its head in with a tire iron.

When they meet the rest of the...

Compliance lawyer Elliot (Paul Rudd) is driving out into the mountains to meet with the hyper rich Leopold clan, headed by the dying Odell (Richard E. Grant) who has designs on Elliot joining the board of the Leopolds’ pharma corporation. However, before Elliot can make that seat his, the Leopolds would like to get to know him over the course of a weekend at their remote, swanky estate. His potential employers are big on strong familial bonds, which could be an issue as, although he has daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) in tow, she doesn’t really want all that much to do with her pop.

The strained atmosphere of the trip from the airport is tested further when Elliot manages to reduce the local wildlife by one as a result of hitting the creature with his rental car. If you’ve been paying attention to what this is called, you...

A24 is back this month with another genre-bending horror comedy. The studio’s latest offering, “Death of a Unicorn,” is a star-studded fantasy satire about what would happen if unicorns really existed, how our modern, corporate world would seek to take advantage of their magical powers by any means necessary and the brutal ways in which nature would in turn may humanity pay for its sins.

The film just premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Festival, and now it is set to become available to general audiences. Here is how, when and where you can watch “Death of a Unicorn.”

When does “Death of a Unicorn” come out?

“Death of a Unicorn” is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 28.

Is “Death of a Unicorn” streaming or in theaters?

Like most A24 movies, “Death of a Unicorn” is opening at first solely in movie theaters. It will likely be at...

Grammy winner St. Vincent has released a new song titled “Doa” from the Death of a Unicorn soundtrack. Check out the visualizer, directed by Anna Chandler, below.

The film’s full soundtrack, featuring the score by Dan Romer and Giousuè Greco, is out now.

In theaters today from A24, Death of a Unicorn is a fantastical nightmare comedy from writer-director Alex Scharfman and producer Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary).

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review out of SXSW, “The idea behind Death of a Unicorn is a novel one, and Scharfman’s...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Studio is a satirical cringe comedy series created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez. The Apple TV+ series is set in Hollywood, and it follows Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of the Continental Studios. Matt finds himself overwhelmed with the ever-changing industry, eccentric actors and directors, and soul-sucking financiers, but all he wants to do is make great films. The Studio stars Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Bryan Cranston, and Kathryn Hahn. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, interesting storylines, and entertaining characters in The Studio, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Action (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Fox

Action is a dark comedy series created by Chris Thompson. The short-lived Fox series is set in Hollywood, and it follows Peter Dragon,...

By the time Anthony Carrigan’s Emmy-nominated run on Barry concluded in 2023, he’d already reaffirmed his independent and blockbuster ambitions to his reps.

The Massachusetts native wasted no time turning those desires into reality, beginning with A24’s Death of a Unicorn and followed by James Gunn’s Superman. The former, which marks the feature directorial debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman, is the latest of many examples in which the powerhouse indie studio has attracted top-tier talent for its interesting, unconventional choices and taste. The comedic creature feature boasts yet another decorated cast, as Carrigan stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni and Richard E. Grant.

Carrigan plays Griff, the aggrieved butler to the Sackler-esque pharma family, the Leopolds, who invite their lawyer, Elliot Kintner (Rudd), and his daughter, Ridley (Ortega), for a retreat at their mountainside lodge. Along the way,...

It must be moose mating season in the new clip from Death of a Unicorn, playing below courtesy of IMDb.

The fantastical nightmare comedy hits theaters this weekend from A24.

Produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary), the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman.

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review out of SXSW, “The idea behind Death of a Unicorn is a novel one, and Scharfman’s commitment to over-the-top spectacle is commendable. But seeing the greedy elite get taken down in brutal, gory fashion should be far more satisfying than this is.

Hand-painted by Tony Stella, the new Death of Unicorn poster evokes classic ’80s artwork in the vein of Drew Struzan.

The fantastical nightmare comedy hits theaters this weekend from A24.

Produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary), the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman.

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review out of SXSW, “The idea behind Death of a Unicorn is a novel one, and Scharfman’s commitment to over-the-top spectacle is commendable. But seeing the greedy elite get taken down in brutal, gory fashion should be far more satisfying than this is.

A24 is getting set to unleash their fantastical nightmare Death of a Unicorn in theaters on March 28, 2025, and tickets for the Jenna Ortega-starring film are up for grabs now.

Death of a Unicorn is rated “R” for “strong violent content, gore, language and some drug use.” Get your tickets now and watch a video featuring SXSW 2025 crowd reactions below!

Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd lead the cast of A24’s dark comedy.

Payback… it’s a beast…

In Death of a Unicorn, “A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Richard Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.”

The upcoming feature is produced by Ari Aster (Beau is Afraid, Midsommar). Of particular note for horror fans, horror master John Carpenter will compose music for the film! The score has reportedly been composed by John Carpenter,...

The 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival kicked off Friday, March 7 in Austin with world and North American premieres of movies in 11 sections, TV shows in three sections and several short film and virtual reality programs.

This year’s festival launched with opening-night film Another Simple Favor reteaming Paul Feig, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, with other notable world premiere titles including Chad Hartigan’s The Threesome, Kate Mara‘s two entries The Astronaut and The Dutchman (the latter also starring André Holland), the Ben Affleck-Jon Bernthal sequel The Accountant 2, the Nicole Kidman-starring Holland and Death of a Unicorn starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega.

Check out Deadline’s reviews recaps below as films premiere at the fest, which runs through March 15, and click on the titles for the full reviews.

The Accountant 2 ‘The Accountant 2’

Section: Headliner

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda,...

A24 has a long list of movies lined up for 2025, starting with Opus, which will hit theaters on March 14. With its immense popularity in the indie movie scene, more mainstream artists are eager to collaborate with A24. It was primarily a film distribution company but later ventured into production with the Oscar-winning film Moonlight.

More recently, the studio is known for critically acclaimed films like MaXXXine, Sing Sing, A Different Man, We Live in Time, Heretic, Queer, The Brutalist, and Babygirl. The Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once is the highest-grossing film from the studio.

Still posters of Death of a Unicorn (left) and Opus (right) | Credits: A24

A24 has already been involved in two movies this year. The studio distributed the Italy-France co-production Parthenope in the United States. It also produced the film On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, which was released in March. Here are all the upcoming...

The Franchise was canceled after only 1 season at HBO, and now we’re learning more about the decision to axe the comedy series.

The series actually had favorable reviews and received a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes after its debut. It starred Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag, Darren Goldstein as Pat, and Isaac Powell as Bryson.

The show followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shined a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.

So…why did HBO cancel the series?

Keep reading to find out more…

Deadline reports it “did not attract large enough audience, leading to the cancellation.

Last October, The Franchise was launched on HBO, but the superhero satire series did not live up to expectations. In January, it was announced that the show had been canceled after one season with no second season in the works.

Per Deadline, HBO's head of comedy, Amy Gravitt, was at the premiere for The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 when she opened up on the decision to cancel The Franchise. She explained how she didn't understand why the series didn't connect with the masses in the way that HBO execs had been hoping for, touting it as "genuinely hilarious." Seeing the potential in the series from the start, Gravitt stressed how there was good reason HBO had given it "a shot," even if the response wasn't what was expected.

“I’m not sure. I’m really proud of that show, and I think Jon is such a strong comedic voice as a writer,...

HBO in January canceled showbiz comedy series The Franchise after one season. The superhero movie satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown had Oscar winner Sam Mendes and Emmy-winning frequent HBO collaborator Armando Iannucci as executive producers.

Despite its great pedigree, The Franchise did not attract large enough audience, leading to the cancellation. Was it because of its inside-Hollywood setup that the show didn’t really connect?

“I’m not sure. I’m really proud of that show, and I think Jon is such a strong comedic voice as a writer,” HBO’s head of comedy Amy Gravitt told Deadline during an interview about the network’s upcoming slate at The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 premiere. “Obviously, we had Armando involved and Sam involved, and we took a shot with it, and it didn’t necessarily connect in the way I thought it would and it did for me personally. But I look at the writing,...

There are seven tapestries on permanent view at The Cloisters in New York that depict, in vivid detail, the tale of a unicorn hunted by man and tamed by a virgin. The series has been the subject of much scholarly discourse, with historians debating their meaning for decades. Early theories landed on metaphors for marriage and fertility, while later and more enduring ones thought of them as allegories for Christ. In his directorial debut, Death of a Unicorn, Alex Scharfman (a producer on House of Spoils and Resurrection) considers a universe in which these magical creatures are real and the tapestries serve as a warning.

The upcoming A24 release, which premiered at SXSW, stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father-daughter duo thrust into a peculiar situation. On their way to a crucial business meeting with a pharmaceutical billionaire, Elliot (Rudd), a meek compliance lawyer with aggressive allergies, and...

Tear up your fuzzy blacklight posters and forget everything Lisa Frank ever taught you, because according to writer-director Alex Scharfman—and 15th-century tapestries, apparently—mythical cornigerous equines aren’t to be fucked with. Big, fanged, and possessing of a wicked vindictive streak, the titular horned beasties of Death of a Unicorn are fearsome, but Scharfman has bigger monsters to slay, including corporate greed and health inequity—hornless brutes that’ll still gore you in the ass without the slightest provocation.

Elliot Kitner (Paul Rudd), a lawyer for a pharmaceutical company, is having trouble relating to his college-age daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), after the recent death of his wife from cancer. After Ridley joins her father on a business trip in an attempt to reconnect, the two hit a horse-like animal with a conspicuously prominent protuberance on its head while driving through the Canadian Rockies. Pressed for time, Elliot puts the...

A24’s gory mythical creature feature “Death of a Unicorn” is never as entertaining as its premise. Debut writer and director Alex Scharfman tries to woo audiences with a deluge of “Jurassic Park” references, but cheeky nods to beloved franchises shouldn’t overshadow your original concept. Aside from primarily stationary glimpses, there’s too heavy a reliance on iffy visual effects that fall short of bringing Scharfman’s horned beasts to life. It’s a ridiculous horror-comedy that’s light on horror and inconsistently humorous, worth a few eat-the-rich laughs but not much else.

Paul Rudd stars as Elliot Kintner, a corporate stooge headed to his bosses’ wildlife reserve mansion for a weekend retreat. Along for the ride is his rebellious-looking daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega), and on that ride, Elliot hits a unicorn—then smashes its brains in. In a panic and already behind schedule, Elliot throws the presumably deceased...

Although writer-director Alex Scharfman makes a big swing with his A24 horror comedy debut, Death of a Unicorn struggles to live up to its bold premise.

The movie stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as Elliot and Ridley Kinter, an estranged father and daughter who put on a united front to get his family-oriented boss to sign a major deal at his isolated Canadian mansion, located on a mysterious nature preserve. But when they hit a unicorn on the drive in, the pair and their wealthy hosts soon become hunted by a pack of mythological beasts.

As the film’s moral compass, Elliot urges the group to leave the creature be, but when the discovery leads to unprecedented miracle cures, the pharma-rich Leopolds instantly see dollar signs.

But for a movie with a nearly two-hour runtime and a bonkers title with the plot to match, the action kicks off awfully late into the movie.

Hailed as a dynamic genre for the television landscape, sci-fi shows have garnered a multitude of fans who’ve consumed these fascinating programs with great intrigue. Whether delving into ambitious science fiction or blending genres to enhance a story, many sci-fi series create narratives that entertain audiences and build upon an overarching plot that leaves viewers invested in the ongoing trials and tribulations of the main characters.

Amidst the abundance of acclaimed sci-fi shows that take time to fully appreciate, either due to several seasons or a complicated narrative structure, some well-constructed series can be enjoyed by audiences in one day. In particular, a handful of condensed sci-fi shows emphasize how solid writing and quality filmmaking can go hand in hand to make viewer engagement the best version it can be.

Love, Death + Robots Offers Variety in Animated Storytelling Sci-Fi Has Never Felt More Exciting and Contemplative

Brimming with imaginative spectacle and mature themes,...

The official trailer has been released for the new A24 film Death of a Unicorn. Though it features Ghostbusters and Wednesday stars, the movie might be the strangest yet from lead actors Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega. The film is set to hit theaters on March 28, 2025.

In Death of a Unicorn, per the synopsis, "A father (Paul Rudd) and daughter (Jenna Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Richard E. Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties." The trailer can be viewed below.

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Death of a Unicorn is written and directed by Alex Scharfman. It stars Paul Rudd (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Qutnaumania...

Payback is a beast in the second trailer for Death of a Unicorn.

While the first trailer leaned into the humor, this one plays up more of the monstrous aspects. And, as the characters will learn, there’s no negotiating with monsters.

The fantastical nightmare comedy will have its world premiere at SXSW before hitting theaters on March 28 from A24.

Produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary), the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Alex Scharfman.

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant star. Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes, and Stephen Park round out the cast.

A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

Death of a Unicorn is rated “R” for strong violent content, gore, language and some drug use.

Several months ago, we heard that production had wrapped on an A24 project called Death of a Unicorn (it originally had an E at the end its title), which stars Paul Rudd (Ant-Man franchise) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), was executive produced by Hereditary/Midsommar/Beau Is Afraid director Ari Aster. We’re anxious to see how this one has turned out – and thankfully, we don’t have much longer to wait. A24 will be giving Death of a Unicorn a theatrical release on March 28th. With one month to go until that date arrives, a new trailer for the film has dropped online and can be seen in the embed above.

Said to be a dark comedy, Death of a Unicorn marks the feature debut of writer/director Alex Scharfman, who co-founded the production company Secret Engine and has produced films like Blow the Man Down and Resurrection. The story...

There’s something dangerous — and magical! — lurking in the woods in the latest trailer for A24’s Death of a Unicorn. Starring Paul Rudd (Clueless) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), the latest peek at the indie studio’s upcoming production teases plenty of mystery, wonder, and greed after a unicorn’s healing properties are used to make bank. With a supporting cast that includes Will Poulter (Midsommar), Richard E. Grant (Saltburn), Anthony Carrigan (Barry), Téa Leoni (Deep Impact), Steve Park (The French Dispatch), Sunita Mani (Save Yourselves!) and Jessica Hynes (The Royle Family), the movie looks to fit right in with the other inventive titles coming from A24 in 2025.

A24 is getting set to unleash their fantastical nightmare Death of a Unicorn in theaters on March 28, 2025, and the film has received its official rating from the MPA this week.

Death of a Unicorn is rated “R” for “strong violent content, gore, language and some drug use.”

Watch the previously released official trailer down below.

Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd lead the cast of A24’s dark comedy.

In Death of a Unicorn, “A father (Rudd) and daughter (Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Richard Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.”

The upcoming feature is produced by Ari Aster (Beau is Afraid, Misommar). Of particular note for horror fans, horror master John Carpenter will compose music for the film! The score has reportedly been composed by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies.

Alex Scharfman (Resurrection,...

In the dim light of 1830, thirteen years after Jane Austen’s death, literary history reveals a complex narrative. Cassandra’s search for her late sister’s letters becomes a delicate mission balanced between preservation and destruction.

The letters represent more than paper—they are potential harbingers of scandal that could alter Jane’s carefully constructed public image. The mystery behind Cassandra’s choice to burn these documents carries deep emotional weight, exploring the intricate dynamics of familial bonds and their hidden tensions.

The narrative moves beyond linear storytelling, weaving through time with intricate flashbacks. Scenes of Jane and Cassandra’s youth emerge, displaying their profound connection through moments of shared emotion and fleeting struggles. These recollections illuminate Cassandra’s present-day actions, revealing her destruction of letters as an act of profound, silent devotion. The sisters’ connection becomes visible—a relationship so intense it transcends written communication, leaving only memories and ashes.

The Franchise star Hamish Patel reflects upon the TV series' recent cancelation.

Per ScreenRant, Patel said of the cancelation, "Yeah, it was really disappointing, obviously, because I loved making that show. I really, really enjoyed it." Patel went on to express his admiration for the cast and crew of The Franchise, saying, "So, I'm sad for everyone involved. I loved making it because of those people, I'm sad, it was a great time, and people have enjoyed it."

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Premiering on HBO in 2024, The Franchise starred Patel as Daniel Kumar, an overworked and underpaid first assistant director for a major Hollywood studio superhero franchise. The series also starred Aya Cash as new producer Anita, Jessica Hynes...