Death of a Unicorn Trailer Delivers Exactly That, Plus Monster Thrills

You would be forgiven for immediately assuming, the first time you laid eyes on the title Death of a Unicorn, that it was metaphorical in nature. It’s an A24 film, after all, with all the sheen of awards-ready buzz that so often entails. Perhaps it’s a story about a young, naïve girl being stripped of her trust by a callous and cruel romantic world? Maybe it’s about a guy falling out of love with his throuple? But no: This title is actually as hilariously literal as they come. This is a movie about unicorns, and the killing of them. Turns out you can just hit one with your car?

Or at least that’s what happens in the newly released first trailer for Death of a Unicorn, which pairs Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father and daughter who get roped into unicorn-related biochemistry hijinks by Rudd’s employer after accidentally killing the seemingly mythical animal. Or as the official synopsis puts it:

A man and his teenage daughter accidentally crash into a unicorn while they are en route to a crisis management summit with his boss Dell Leopold and Leopold’s family. The Leopolds seize the unicorn, and their scientists discover that its flesh, blood, and, most of all, its horn are endowed with supernaturally curative properties, which the Leopolds seek to exploit. However, as they delve deeper into their research, they discover the deadly consequences of their actions.

The trailer, meanwhile, seems to be striking a darkly comedic or horror comedy tone, set ironically to the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” It’s probably some of the only licensed music in the film, in fact, given that Death of a Unicorn can also boast the presence of horror legend John Carpenter (joined by son Cody) as its listed composer. In seeming tribute, the trailer even makes use of the well-known “John Carpenter title card” font that accompanied most of the director’s best-known movies. Regardless, the film looks like an irresistibly fun time for its cast alone, which beyond Rudd and ascendant star Ortega also features Will Poulter, Tea Leoni, Sunita Mani, Richard E. Grant and Barry‘s Anthony Carrigan. That is an incredible lineup for a … unicorn horror comedy? Somehow, we doubt this one will be present at the 2025 Academy Awards, but that’s alright with us. Check out the first trailer for Death of a Unicorn below.