A24 has unveiled its latest film, Death of a Unicorn, which blends elements of comedy and horror to critique the ethical and moral landscape of the ultrarich. This feature marks the directorial debut of Alex Scharfman, who also crafted the script. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Scharfman has contributed to projects like Resurrection and Blow the Man Down.
At the core of Death of a Unicorn are stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, portraying a father-daughter pair whose accidental encounter with a unicorn while headed to a billionaire’s weekend retreat results in a sequence of darkly comedic and horrifying events. Richard E. Grant plays the role of the billionaire host. The ensemble cast also includes Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, and Anthony Carrigan.
In a recent interview with Collider‘s Steve Weintraub, Scharfman discussed his experience directing his first feature and the transformation of his script into an ode to the films that have inspired him throughout his career. Drawing from his background as a producer, Scharfman emphasized the significance of assembling a strong ensemble cast and shared insights on his collaboration with A24.
Reflecting on his decision to direct, Scharfman revealed, “I’ve been working on multiple scripts, but it’s only recently I felt inclined to direct. It’s about honing your craft and realizing there are things you want to express that can only be done personally.”
He expresses his enduring excitement by describing the film as a love letter to the kind of populist escapism and theatricality found in the films that made him fall in love with cinema. Scharfman also acknowledges that directing one’s first feature requires years of dedication, a process he embarked on nearly five years ago with A24.
The inclusion of Paul Rudd was intentional. Scharfman tailored the lead role for him, inspired by an earlier interaction. The chemistry and fun between castmates amplify the ensemble’s dynamic, with actors like Anthony Carrigan, described by Scharfman as an exceptional team player, bringing depth to their roles.
Scharfman’s producer background enriched his directorial debut, granting him familiarity with the cinematic environment and decision-making. “Making a movie involves thousands of decisions,” he states, acknowledging the value in witnessing the successful choices made by others.
The atmosphere on set fostered collaboration and enjoyment. “We had a great time filming this movie with a ‘no assholes’ policy,” Scharfman recalls. Despite the inevitable pressure, he aims to cherish the experience fully.
Discussing the film’s title, Scharfman admits it was always Death of a Unicorn, although an earlier version included a medieval twist utilizing an antiquated spelling. The final title reflects the film’s narrative focus without additional complexity.
Audience reactions at the World Premiere at South By Southwest were overwhelmingly positive, particularly for Anthony Carrigan’s performance. Scharfman expresses gratitude for the recognition of Carrigan’s talent, noting how the audience’s applause was a career highlight.
Entering the editing room was another aspect of the journey. Scharfman approached the rough cuts with the perspective gained from years of producing, acknowledging the challenges and opportunities in refining the film.
The film’s creative death scenes, essential to its horror-comedy blend, were meticulously planned and storyboarded early to ensure a coherent vision. These sequences veer away from cliché, offering diverse scenarios that maintain audience engagement and align with Scharfman’s inclination to play homage to genre classics.
Audiences have responded enthusiastically to the inventive approach, something Scharfman attributes to the unabashed joy of creative violence within the genre, likening it to the work found in beloved horror films.
Death of a Unicorn not only serves as Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut but also as a landmark project tailored perfectly for Paul Rudd, capitalizing on a confluence of genre, talent, and creative vision.
