Death of a Unicorn Ending Explained: What Really Happens to Elliot, Ridley & the Unicorns
Death of a Unicorn ends on a mysterious, cosmic note- leaving viewers with more questions than answers about the fate of Paul Rudd's Elliot, Jenna Ortega's Ridley, and the unicorns. The film follows the father-daughter duo as they head to the remote estate of Elliot’s wealthy employers, the Leopold family.
Along the way, they accidentally hit a unicorn with their car and bring the magical creature with them. This sparks a bizarre chain of events involving resurrection, revenge, and some of the goriest kills of the year.
As the unicorns retaliate for the death of their young, the story morphs into a darkly comedic, blood-soaked rampage in which only Elliot, Ridley, and the Leopold family’s butler, Griff, survive. The final act leans heavily into ambiguity, leaving the audience to piece together what really happens in those last few moments.
Why did the Unicorns Attack the Police car: Helping or Harming?
After surviving the massacre, Elliot and Ridley are arrested when the police arrive. But as they sit in the back of the cop car, the unicorns appear—staring directly at Elliot before violently crashing the vehicle. It's unclear whether this act is a rescue mission or a cover-up.
Given that the unicorns previously resurrected Elliot and share a strange, almost spiritual bond with Jenna Ortega's Ridley, it’s more likely they were trying to free them. The silent glance exchanged between Elliot and one of the unicorns just before the crash hints at a warning rather than a threat. While their method is undeniably brutal, it seems the unicorns were attempting to help their new allies escape.
Elliot’s Resurrection and the Unicorns’ Cosmic Power
Elliot’s death at the hands of Shepard is one of the film’s emotional peaks. But in a surreal twist, the unicorns resurrect both their baby and Elliot—suggesting that Ridley has earned their trust as a sort of "chosen one." This resurrection scene delves into the film's metaphysical elements, as Elliot briefly experiences the same cosmic realm Ridley accessed earlier in the story. It’s a moment that cements the mystical and unknowable nature of these creatures.
What Happens to the Survivors?
The film leaves the final fate of Elliot, Ridley, and Griff open to interpretation. If they survive the crash, they may still face suspicion—or even danger—from those who want to exploit the unicorns’ healing powers. Despite likely keeping the unicorns' existence a secret, they may be hunted by others eager to harness that magic.
Meanwhile, the unicorns vanish into the wilderness, reunited and once again shrouded in myth. With the Leopold family dead and their estate likely abandoned, the forest remains protected—and the unicorns remain hidden from the modern world.
Where did the Unicorns come from?
Though the film never provides a definitive origin for the unicorns, Ridley’s research suggests they are ancient beings—natural and eternal, connected to the very fabric of the universe. Their horns act as conduits to a cosmic realm, hinting that these aren't just magical animals but otherworldly entities.
References to “The Unicorn Tapestries” and mythic lore support the idea that these creatures have always been part of Earth’s forgotten history—elusive, dangerous, and untamable.
What Happens to Griff?
Griff, the Leopold family’s sardonic butler, is the only other known survivor. Last seen following the police car, his fate is just as uncertain. Despite being a bystander for most of the chaos, he’s still involved enough to be considered a liability by the unicorns- who appear to run his car off the road as well. Still, his sympathetic role and connection to Ridley suggest he may survive, just off-screen.
What did the Director say About the Ending?
Director Alex Scharfman intentionally left the ending ambiguous but has confirmed that he personally believes Elliot, Ridley, and Griff all survived. In an interview with Screen Rant, he explained that the unicorns’ final act wasn’t meant to harm them but to help—albeit in their usual chaotic, animalistic way. He said:
"They're kind of like, 'Yeah, okay, great. You're being held captive, we'll smash the car and see what happens.' [Chuckles] But certainly, not necessarily understanding the social implications of [the escape] or the mechanical [elements]. Like, when they're coming into the house, they're slipping on the stairs, they don't know what stairs are, they've never encountered stairs. So, I don't know, there was something fun about that."
According to Scharfman, the bond between the unicorns and the humans is now “ongoing and permanent,” even if the creatures don’t fully understand the consequences of their actions.
Does the Ending set up a Sequel?
While the open-ended conclusion might suggest a sequel, Death of a Unicorn wraps up its core emotional arc. Paul Rudd's Elliot and Jenna Ortega's Ridley's strained relationship is healed, and Griff’s arc reaches a quiet resolution. Although there’s room to explore the larger mythology of the unicorns, this story feels complete.
That said, the final scene is a fitting reminder that even with a cosmic connection, the unicorns remain wild, untamable forces of nature—and their story is far from over in the world beyond the screen.
Death of a Unicorn is now playing in theaters.
Related
Most Popular
Most Popular