Why Death of a Unicorn Is A24’s Most Underrated Horror Gem on HBO Max

When A24’s Death of a Unicorn limped into theaters last spring, critics dismissed it as “tonally confused” (Variety, March 2025) and “satire without teeth” (The Hollywood Reporter, April 2025). Yet as the horror-comedy dominates HBO Max’s charts this month, viewers are discovering what initial reviews missed: a viciously entertaining takedown of wealth culture wrapped in blood-soaked mythical horror. Starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd in a career-twisting role, this $15 million production earned just $16.4 million theatrically – but its streaming resurrection proves audiences crave its unapologetic chaos.

Death of a Unicorn’s Misunderstood Brilliance

Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut weaponizes unicorns not as glittery symbols of hope, but as rage-filled avengers. When pharmaceutical executive Elliot (Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Ortega) accidentally hit one with their car, they deliver the wounded creature to Elliot’s billionaire employers – the grotesquely self-absorbed Leopold family. Richard E. Grant’s cancer-stricken patriarch Odell, Téa Leoni’s calculating matriarch Belinda, and Will Poulter’s spoiled heir Shepard quickly exploit the unicorn’s healing blood for profit. What unfolds is less fairy tale than capitalist nightmare.

Three elements critics undervalued:

• Ortega’s grounded performance as the moral compass amidst insanity
• Practical creature effects that transform unicorns into medieval nightmares
• Deliberate tonal whiplash mirroring corporate ethical whiplash

As Rotten Tomatoes’ 53% score contrasts with HBO Max’s 84% audience rating (August 2025), the disconnect reveals much about expectations for A24 films. “We’re conditioned to associate the studio with arthouse subtlety,” notes film scholar Dr. Elena Torres (University of Southern California). “Death of a Unicorn deliberately rejects that – it’s Succession meets Jurassic Park with hooves.”

Why Streaming Revives Flawed Masterpieces

The film’s theatrical failure stemmed from mismatched marketing. Trailers sold a straightforward creature feature, burying Scharfman’s sharpest critiques. Yet its HBO Max success highlights how streaming benefits ambitious misfits. Unlike cinemas demanding immediate returns, platforms allow word-of-mouth resurrection – especially for films featuring stars like Ortega, whose Instagram tease of the unicorn design garnered 2.1M likes within 24 hours of streaming release.

Key strengths shining on rewatch:

• Satirical parallels to real-world pharmaceutical profiteering
• The cathartic thrill of seeing billionaires disemboweled
• Rudd’s against-type portrayal of moral compromise

While the third act’s gore-fest divided critics, it delivers exactly what horror fans crave. The Leopolds’ mountain compound becomes a hunting ground where unicorns impale private security through marble walls and gore executives mid-monologue. This isn’t accidental chaos – it’s class warfare with horns.

For viewers who missed its theatrical run, Death of a Unicorn emerges as HBO Max’s surprise must-watch: a flawed but fiercely original horror satire that improves with lowered expectations and raised middle fingers to the 1%. Its streaming success proves some films need time to find their audience – preferably from couches where primal screams won’t disturb fellow theatergoers. Stream it tonight before the inevitable cult following begins.

Must Know

Is Death of a Unicorn based on true events?

No, it’s original fiction. Writer-director Alex Scharfman cited inspiration from medieval unicorn myths and modern corporate scandals. The 2023 Pfizer pricing controversy specifically influenced the Leopold family’s profit-driven motives (The New York Times interview, February 2025).

Why is Paul Rudd’s character so unlikable?

Rudd deliberately subverts his typical “nice guy” persona. Elliot represents compromised middle management – a grieving father choosing financial security over ethics. Rudd told Empire Magazine (April 2025) he relished playing “a man who sells his soul incrementally.”

How did they create the unicorns?

Practical effects studio CreatureWorks built animatronic unicorns with detachable horns for gore sequences. CGI enhanced movement but director Scharfman insisted on physical presence for actor reactions. The design merged warhorse anatomy with prehistoric predator traits.

Will there be a sequel?

Unlikely given its box office. However, A24 may develop Scharfman’s future projects. Ortega hinted at unused mythology in an MTV News interview (July 2025): “The script had deeper lore about where they came from – maybe a director’s cut?”

Why is it rated R?

Strong violence (graphic impalements), language, and brief drug use. The MPAA noted “fantasy horror gore throughout” in its rating bulletin.