A24 Presents ‘Death of a Unicorn’: A Bold Mix of Magic, Mayhem, and Comedy

The arrival of a fresh month marks the ushering in of an array of new films across varying streaming platforms. With volumes of new content so overwhelming, picking the right movie to delight in can be a challenge. We’ve sifted through the newest streaming offerings to highlight the definitive must-sees and the best films to skip to make your upcoming movie night unforgettable. Taking the lead this morning is A24’s bold new horror-comedy ‘Death of a Unicorn’ with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega in the spotlight.

Turning your attention to Peacock for a moment, the standout addition is one of this year’s greatest gems: ‘Black Bag’. On the other hand, Prime Video brings back the beloved and brilliantly chaotic duo in a highly awaited sequel movie ‘Another Simple Favor’. Max delivers a buoyant journey of a comedy, ‘Adult Best Friends,’ tackling the complexities of friendship as an adult. To cap it off, Netflix has priorly added the soul-stirring drama, ‘Past Lives’. Let’s embark on the exploration of the best newly released streaming movies this morning.

‘Death of a Unicorn’ forces us to consider: What occurs when a unicorn encounters a car accident? The resulting mayhem is the stuff of legends for Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his teen daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega). This unusual and catastrophic accident narrative is at the heart of A24’s newest horror-comedy flick.

Our protagonists stumble upon an actual unicorn during a routine business trip, but the situation starts spiraling out of control when they decide to transport the deceased creature to their destination – a plush mansion owned by Elliot’s employer, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). Amidst the opulence of the Leopold estate, Elliot and Ridley work tirelessly to shield the unicorn’s magical healing abilities from exploitation, only to find themselves targeted by a revenge-seeking herd of unicorns.

‘Black Bag,’ which I recently had a chance to watch myself, is a carefully designed, shrewd, and humor-tinted picture starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a wedded pairing, both secret agents for the British intelligence. George (Fassbender) has a unique ability to detect deceit, but when doubts about his wife’s true allegiance arise, he finds himself applying his unique skills on the only person he thought he thoroughly understood.

The foundation of their life together begins to shake as they are entwined in a web of illusions and treachery. Meanwhile, ‘Another Simple Favor’, a follow-up to Paul Feig’s successful 2018 crime thriller, ‘A Simple Favor,’ sees Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their original roles and return for a round of surprises, betrayal, and high energy chaos.

Recently out of prison, Emily is destined to marry into the notorious Italian mafia, with her friend Stephanie serving as her maid of honor. However, their plans soon derail when a murder shatters the calm of the wedding, resulting in the reveal of long-concealed secrets and an unraveling chain of events.

‘Adult Best Friends’ paints a picture of the trials of retaining friendships in adulthood. It revolves around the journey of two inseparable childhood friends who unexpectedly find their lives going down separate paths upon reaching their 30s, and their struggle to sustain their bond amidst the challenges of life.

Rounding off the list is ‘Past Lives’, a moving drama that traces the evolving relationship of Nora Moon (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two friends who reunite in New York City after being separated for two decades. The movie elegantly weaves a narrative around their shared history and the reality of their chosen life paths.

With a focus on nuanced storytelling, the film presents a heart-rending narration, leaving an impression of melancholy that lingers. ‘Past Life’ strikes a chord with its viewers, gently reminding us of our past connections and the strength found in old friendships.