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Death of a Unicorn Showtimes: Reviews, Rating & Box Office 2025

Noah Jackson Mercer Mitchell • 2026-05-12 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

Few A24 releases spark as much split opinion as Death of a Unicorn, which pairs Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega in a horror-comedy about a father and daughter who accidentally kill a unicorn. With a 43% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) and a polarizing opening weekend, this guide brings together showtimes, reception data, and content advice so you can decide for yourself.

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 43% ·
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 54% ·
MPAA rating: R ·
Release date: March 28, 2025 ·
Runtime: 104 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Confirmed production budget (not disclosed) (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
  • Exact streaming release date (expected April 29, 2025 per Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
  • Whether a sequel will be produced (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
3Timeline signal
  • March 28, 2025: US theatrical release (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))
  • April 4, 2025: UK theatrical release (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))
  • Streaming expected from April 29, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
4What’s next
  • Check local showtimes at ODEON, Vue, Lighthouse, Genesis (ODEON Cinemas, Vue Cinemas)
  • Streaming release on HBO Max and Fandango at Home expected April 29 (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
  • No sequel announced (ODEON Cinemas)

The film’s key details at a glance — an editorial summary of the confirmed specs:

Attribute Value
Release Date March 28, 2025 (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))
Director Alex Scharfman (Fandango (movie ticketing))
Cast Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni (A24 YouTube (official studio channel))
MPAA Rating R (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
Runtime 104 minutes (Fandango (movie ticketing))
Genre Horror, Comedy, Fantasy (ODEON Cinemas)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score 43% (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))

When and Where Is Death of a Unicorn Playing?

Death of a Unicorn showtimes near me

  • The film is now showing in theaters across the US and UK. For the most accurate times, use ODEON’s website (ODEON Cinemas) or check Vue Cinemas (Vue Cinemas).
  • Genesis Cinema in London lists screenings (Genesis Cinema (independent cinema)).

Death of a Unicorn cinema UK listings

Death of a Unicorn at Arc Cinema Drogheda

  • Check local listings for Arc Cinema Drogheda; showtimes are not confirmed on major aggregators.

The pattern: cinema listings shift fast, so always check the venue’s website the day before — a screening you see online at 5pm may be sold out by 7.

What to watch

Showtimes change weekly and often sell out day-of. For the best chance, check the cinema’s site the morning you plan to go — especially for weekend screenings at ODEON and Vue.

The implication: last-minute planning is the only reliable strategy for a sold-out A24 release.

Is Death of a Unicorn a Good Movie?

Rotten Tomatoes scores for Death of a Unicorn

  • Critic score: 43% based on reviews (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
  • Audience score: 54% (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

Parental guidance: R rating and content

  • MPAA rating: R for Language, Gore, Some Drug Use, Strong Violent Content (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

What this means: The critic-audience split (43% vs 54%) suggests a film that appeals more to genre fans than mainstream viewers, a common pattern for A24 horror-comedies.

Did Death of a Unicorn Flop?

Box office context

  • A24 has not officially released box office figures for Death of a Unicorn. The production budget is also undisclosed.
  • Given the mixed reviews (43% on Rotten Tomatoes), early reactions suggest a lukewarm audience reception, but financial data is needed to confirm.

Why this matters: Without box office confirmation, labels like “flop” are premature. The real test will be how the film performs in its second weekend and on streaming.

Is Death of a Unicorn Gory, Rated R, and Scary?

Death of a Unicorn movie rating

  • MPAA rating: R for Language, Gore, Some Drug Use, Strong Violent Content (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

Is Death of a Unicorn funny or scary?

  • Digital Spy calls it a “quirky black comedy” (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)), indicating humor mixed with horror elements.
  • Reviews note the film balances creature horror with comedic beats.

The trade-off: Viewers expecting pure horror may be disappointed by the comedic tone, while comedy fans might find the gore off-putting.

Why Did Death of a Unicorn Get Bad Reviews?

Critical reception of Death of a Unicorn

  • The film holds a 43% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
  • Critics cite an uneven tone that fails to satisfy as either pure comedy or horror.

Creature horror comedy reviews

  • Some reviews called the creature design unoriginal — a common criticism for genre films.

The pattern: The film’s genre-blending ambition is its biggest weakness — by trying to be both a comedy and a horror, it pleases neither camp fully.

Who Stars in Death of a Unicorn and What Is the Plot?

Cast of Death of a Unicorn

Death of a Unicorn trailer and story

  • The official trailer is available on A24’s YouTube channel (A24 YouTube (official studio channel)).
  • Plot: A father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn en route to a retreat, leading to chaos when a billionaire (Richard E. Grant) tries to exploit the creature’s properties (Fandango (movie ticketing)).

The implication: The premise is a classic A24 blend of absurdity and social satire — think Swiss Army Man meets The Menu.

Upsides

  • Star power: Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega draw audiences (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)).
  • Unique premise — a father-daughter unicorn accident (Fandango (movie ticketing)).
  • A24’s track record for bold storytelling.
  • Blends horror and comedy for genre fans.

Downsides

  • Low critic score (43%) on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
  • Audience score also mediocre (54%).
  • Uneven tone between comedy and horror.
  • R rating for gore may limit audience.

The catch: Viewers who lean strongly toward either pure horror or pure comedy are the most likely to be disappointed by this hybrid.

The catch

Viewers who go in expecting a straightforward horror will likely leave disappointed. Those who embrace the film’s absurdist tone — think Swiss Army Man with unicorns — will find more to enjoy.

How to Find Death of a Unicorn Showtimes Near You

  1. Visit ODEON’s website and search for “Death of a Unicorn” (ODEON Cinemas).
  2. Check Vue Cinemas for screenings in your area (Vue Cinemas).
  3. Try independent cinemas like Genesis in London (Genesis Cinema (independent cinema)).
  4. Use Google Maps or a cinema aggregator site for last-minute availability.

The pattern: Direct venue booking is the most reliable path — aggregators can lag behind real-time inventory.

Timeline: Death of a Unicorn Release and Events

  • March 28, 2025: US theatrical release (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)).
  • April 4, 2025: UK theatrical release (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)).
  • Expected April 29, 2025: Streaming release on HBO Max and Fandango at Home (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

Confirmed facts

  • Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 43% (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
  • Rated R by MPAA (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
  • Stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))
  • Release date: March 28, 2025 (US) (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))

Unclear claims

  • Confirmed production budget
  • Exact streaming release date (expected April 29 but not confirmed)
  • Whether a sequel will be produced

The timeline shows a clear theatrical-to-streaming pipeline: viewers who wait until late April can watch from home without risking a disappointing cinema trip.

A quirky black comedy.

— Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet) (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))

Rated R for Language, Gore, Some Drug Use, Strong Violent Content.

— MPAA via Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))

For UK viewers weighing a trip to the cinema, the choice is clear: if you’re a fan of A24’s offbeat horror-comedy style and don’t mind a mixed reception, Death of a Unicorn offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Those who prefer more consistent genre fare may want to wait for streaming on April 29. Either way, the film’s ambition is undeniable — and its polarizing nature ensures no two audiences will feel the same way.

Additional sources

feverup.com

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Death of a Unicorn?

Currently in theaters. Check ODEON, Vue, and independent cinemas. Streaming expected from April 29, 2025 on HBO Max and Fandango at Home (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

Is Death of a Unicorn streaming on Netflix?

No, the film is not on Netflix. It’s distributed by A24 and expected to stream on HBO Max.

What is the age rating for Death of a Unicorn?

Rated R for Language, Gore, Some Drug Use, Strong Violent Content (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

How scary is Death of a Unicorn?

It’s a horror comedy — scary moments but also comedic. Reviews describe it as a quirky black comedy with gore (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)).

Who directed Death of a Unicorn?

Alex Scharfman directed the film (Fandango (movie ticketing)).

What is the runtime of Death of a Unicorn?

104 minutes (Fandango (movie ticketing)).

Is Death of a Unicorn a comedy or a horror movie?

Both — it’s described as a horror comedy. ODEON lists genres as Comedy and Horror (ODEON Cinemas).

Related reading



Noah Jackson Mercer Mitchell

About the author

Noah Jackson Mercer Mitchell

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.