I Need To Vent About Paul Rudd’s Character In Death Of A Unicorn, Because WTF Was That

A24’s Death Of A Unicorn has been on my record ever because it confirmed up on the 2025 film launch calendar, but it surely was a type of titles that I missed in theaters. Because it not too long ago grew to become accessible to stream on HBO Max, I lastly checked it out, and I even have quite a bit to say about Paul Rudd’s character. Elliot Kintner is among the most unruly and unhinged protagonists I’ve seen shortly, and I have to unpack his crimes. As you may think about, there’s loads of SPOILERS forward!
I Really feel Like Death Of A Unicorn Needs To Be An Endearing Father-Daughter Film, However It Is Not That
Look, I’m all for nuanced characters, however Death of a Unicorn didn’t precisely examine these packing containers for me, particularly contemplating the connection on the heart of the twisted horror-comedy. Now, I’d learn CinemaBlend’s 4-star Death of a Unicorn assessment and some meddling critic ideas in regards to the Jenna Ortega film, however nothing ready me for the odd expertise of the movie itself.
The film begins off with Rudd and Ortega’s characters of Elliot and Ridley heading over to the Canadian Rockies to go to the property of Elliot’s boss, however in its inciting second of battle, the dad character runs over a unicorn after which proceeds to beat it up?!! Why? I have completely no concept. He then decides to retailer the poor factor in his SUV and take it with them to the property, in order that he can bury it later or one thing like that? Nevertheless, what occurs as a substitute is he efficiently angers the newborn unicorn’s household, and his bosses resolve to bleed it dry after they determine unicorns have mystical therapeutic powers.
On the identical time, Death of a Unicorn is trying to weave in a plotline in regards to the dad/daughter who appear to be they’ve been going by means of a tough patch for the reason that demise of Elliot’s spouse and Ridley’s mother. That’s all properly and good, however there’s a distinction between having a flawed dad who doesn’t know what to do with a unicorn and the straight-up psychopath Rudd finally ends up taking part in right here.
I’m Sorry However There’s No Approach I’m Forgiving Paul Rudd’s Character In Death Of A Unicorn
Elliot proceeds to utterly ignore his daughter, who’s being utterly honest and logical over the concept to maybe not torture this poor animal additional, and he’s extra frightened about discovering stability in his profession. Look, I know that being a single dad is difficult, however later within the film, he proceeds to stab and kill Will Poulter’s character, who was very a lot a spotlight of the film because the son of his boss. And, that is undoubtedly not an motion that is going to assist with that goal…
The film ends with Elliot and Ridley being hauled away by the police and doubtless going to jail, however they’re all laughs and giggles about the entire thing. The top appears to recommend the unicorns are going to avoid wasting them, however that makes zero sense, contemplating Elliot is the one who began this unicorn warfare to start with. I truthfully would have been extra glad if Ridley had gotten very distant from her father.
In any case, I wanted to vent about this bonkers film! Whereas I guess I recognize Rudd going in opposition to kind, his character simply felt prefer it solely existed to trigger chaos, and I wasn’t right here for it.