Approximately thirteen months ago, we learned that production had concluded on an intriguing A24 project titled Death of a Unicorn. This film, which initially featured an ‘E’ at the end of its title, showcases the impressive talents of Paul Rudd from the Ant-Man franchise and the rising star Jenna Ortega from Wednesday. With the visionary Ari Aster—known for his work on Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid—as executive producer, along with a haunting score by John Carpenter and his collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, anticipation is high for its theatrical release in the spring of 2025. The newly unveiled trailer gives us a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect.

The film is categorized as a dark comedy and represents the feature debut of writer and director Alex Scharfman, a co-founder of the production company Secret Engine, recognized for producing films such as Blow the Man Down and Resurrection. The story revolves around the unusual circumstances of a father, portrayed by Rudd, and his daughter, played by Ortega, who accidentally strike and kill a unicorn during their journey to a weekend retreat. This retreat becomes complicated as the father’s wealthy boss seeks to exploit the unicorn’s extraordinary healing abilities, leading to unpredictable and humorous outcomes.

In further detail, the narrative follows Elliot and his teenage daughter Ridley as they travel to a critical crisis management summit with the Leopold family, Elliot’s employers. Their journey takes a wild turn when they unintentionally crash into a unicorn. The Leopolds quickly recognize the potential of the magical creature, intending to harvest its flesh, blood, and horn, believed to hold miraculous curative powers. However, as they venture deeper into their plans, they uncover the dire and deadly repercussions of their actions.

Joining the cast is Richard E. Grant, known for his role in Saltburn, who plays the billionaire boss. The film also features a talented ensemble including Téa Leoni from Flirting with Disaster, Will Poulter from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Anthony Carrigan from Barry, Sunita Mani from GLOW, Jessica Hynes from Shaun of the Dead, and Stephen Park from Asteroid City. This diverse cast promises to bring the quirky story to life in a memorable way.

The production of Death of a Unicorn is backed by a strong team, with Scharfman collaborating with Drew Houpt and Lucas Joaquin of Secret Engine, Tyler Campellone and Lars Knudsen of Square Peg, and Tim Headington and Theresa Steele Page of Ley Line Entertainment. Executive producers include Aster, Rudd, and Ortega, alongside Michael Williams, Jacob Epstein, David Darby, and Nate Kamiya. With financing from A24 and Ley Line Entertainment, A24 will also handle the film’s distribution, ensuring it reaches audiences far and wide.

What are your thoughts on the newly released trailer for Death of a Unicorn? Does this unique blend of comedy and fantasy pique your interest enough to make it a must-see film on the big screen next year? We invite you to share your opinions by leaving a comment below!