“Death of a Unicorn” is an upcoming American comedy horror film written and directed by Alex Scharfman. The story follows Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) as they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a crisis management summit with Elliot’s boss, Dell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), and his family.
They take the unicorn and find that it can heal people in a magical way, which they plan to use to their advantage. Their deeds, however, anger the unicorn’s mate, which ends in death. The movie will appear for the first time at the South by Southwest Festival on March 8, 2025. On March 28, 2025, it will be shown on screens all over the United States. This article will talk about the beautiful Death of a Unicorn filming locations where this supernatural horror movie was filmed.
Where Was Death of a Unicorn Filmed?
Death of a Unicorn was filmed in Hungary, with production starting in July 2023. Budapest, known for its historic charm, was a key filming location. Let’s explore all filming spots in detail.
Hungary
Most of Death of a Unicorn was filmed in Hungary, a country known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes. Hungarian locations were chosen by the production team because they could be used for both scary and fantastical scenes.
“Filming in Hungary was an incredible experience. The landscapes added a mystical quality to the film, making the unicorn mythology feel more real,” said director Alex Scharfman.
Major Hollywood productions like Blade Runner 2049 and Dune: Part Two have found Hungary to be a popular filming site. The country’s mix of medieval and modern scenes makes it a great place for a wide range of stories.
Budapest
Many scenes were shot in Budapest, Hungary’s capital. The city’s mix of old castles, creepy woods, and new buildings made it a great setting for the supernatural themes of the movie. Key scenes were filmed in Budapest’s famous buildings, such as Odell Leopold’s company headquarters.
“Budapest has this hauntingly beautiful aesthetic that perfectly complements the film’s dark comedy and horror elements,” said Paul Rudd.
Budapest has previously hosted productions like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and John Wick: Chapter 4.
When Did the Filming of Death of a Unicorn Take Place?
Filming for Death of a Unicorn began in July 2023 in Hungary. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, the production was allowed to continue since A24, the studio behind the film, operates independently from major Hollywood studios.
Death of a Unicorn Plot Summary
Death of a Unicorn is an exhilarating comedy-horror film, as peculiar as its title suggests. The story kicks off with Elliot (Paul Rudd), a well-meaning but stressed-out dad, driving with his sharp-witted teenage daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), to a swanky wilderness retreat. They’re headed to a crisis management summit hosted by Elliot’s over-the-top billionaire boss, Dell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). But their road trip takes a freaky turn when they accidentally slam into a unicorn—yep, a real, shimmering, horned mythical creature. Panicked but curious, they haul the dead unicorn along to the retreat, figuring it’s too weird to leave behind.
Things get crazier when Dell catches wind of their accidental trophy. He becomes less shocked and more thrilled, becoming obsessed with the unicorn’s horn, which he believes has the potential to cure cancer and generate billions of dollars. With dollar signs in his eyes, Dell ropes in a shady pharmaceutical CEO (Will Poulter) to help exploit this magical find. Meanwhile, Elliot & Ridley are stuck navigating the chaos, trying to figure out if they’ve stumbled into a goldmine or a nightmare.
The plot flips upside down when the unicorn’s mate—a towering, furious beast—shows up, hell-bent on revenge. Suddenly, the retreat turns into a blood-soaked mess as this grieving creature unleashes its wrath on everyone involved. What started as a quirky accident spirals into a darkly hilarious showdown, blending greed, family tension, and supernatural payback. With A24’s signature weirdness and a killer cast, Death of a Unicorn promises a twisted tale that’s equal parts funny, gory, and totally out there.
Death of a Unicorn Cast Details
- Paul Rudd as Elliot Kintner
- Jenna Ortega as Ridley Kintner
- Richard E. Grant as Odell Leopold
- Will Poulter as Shepard, Odell’s son
- Téa Leoni as Belinda, Odell’s wife
- Anthony Carrigan as Griff, the Leopolds’ butler
- Sunita Mani as Dr. Bhatia, a scientist
- Jessica Hynes as Shaw, the Leopolds’ family personal assistant
- Steve Park as Dr. Song, a scientist
Death of a Unicorn Behind The Scenes
While filming in Hungary, the production team faced some unexpected challenges, including unpredictable weather and eerie real-life events that added to the film’s supernatural aura. “Some of our night shoots had moments where strange noises and shadows appeared out of nowhere—it almost felt like the set was haunted,” revealed Jenna Ortega in an interview.
Additionally, the film’s original composers—John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies—were later replaced by Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco, bringing a fresh musical perspective to the eerie yet humorous story.
Death of a Unicorn Official Trailer
The official trailer for Death of a Unicorn was released on December 18, 2024, featuring an eerie rendition of Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, setting the perfect tone for the horror-comedy film.
With its unique premise, stellar cast and eerie yet beautiful filming locations, Death of a Unicorn is set to be one of 2025’s most talked-about films. If you love horror-comedies with a twist, make sure to catch it in theaters on March 28, 2025!
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