Jenna Ortega and the "Death of a Unicorn": A Hilarious On-Set Struggle to Stay Serious

A24, known for its distinctive and often unsettling films, is set to release "Death of a Unicorn" on March 28th, a dark modern fantasy comedy that promises a unique cinematic experience. The film stars Jenna Ortega, famed for her role as Wednesday Addams, and Paul Rudd, the beloved Ant-Man of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as a daughter and father caught in an extraordinary situation: they accidentally run over a unicorn.

io9 recently attended a special screening of the film, followed by a Q&A session led by director Alex Scharfman with Ortega and other cast members, notably missing Rudd. "Death of a Unicorn" seems to offer an art-house twist on familiar themes, reminiscent of "Cabin in the Woods." It explores the destructive potential of a unicorn against a backdrop of wealthy and oblivious characters, with Rudd portraying a relatively ordinary single father desperately trying to connect with his daughter, portrayed by Ortega. Their lives take a sharp turn when Ridley, Ortega’s character, inadvertently forms a bond with the injured unicorn.

The core of the film’s humor, it appears, stems from the outlandish behavior of the supporting cast as they attempt to exploit the unicorn’s magical properties. Ortega revealed that her biggest challenge throughout filming was maintaining a straight face amidst the absurdity. The supporting cast includes Tea Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Will Poulter, and Anthony Carrigan, each seemingly delivering performances designed to elicit laughter.

Ortega jokingly confessed, "I mean this in the kindest way possible: I could not trust anyone on this set. I couldn’t make eye contact with anybody. I didn’t want to look at certain people." She highlighted a specific instance involving Anthony Carrigan, stating, "There’s a bit where Anthony walks by, and he’s talking about, ‘this isn’t the best use of time’—walking by using a clock as a barrier. And there’s not one take where I look in that direction." This anecdote provides a glimpse into the level of comedic chaos that Ortega had to navigate.

Ridley, Ortega’s character, seems to be the film’s moral compass and audience surrogate. Ortega described the constant "comedic torture" she endured while trying to defend the unicorn’s well-being. She noted Paul Rudd’s playful nature on set, adding improvised comedic elements that further challenged her ability to remain serious.

"There’s so many moments Paul was really playful [on set] that way, [and would] add little things. I think it’s strange, because I’m supposed to be kind of the most serious one in the film. Telling everyone why this is wrong, and nobody listens to me until the third act," Ortega explained. She described the role as particularly demanding, requiring her to remain on the verge of tears throughout much of the film. "For me, it was definitely one of the more difficult jobs where I couldn’t break. I was supposed to be, like, on the verge of tears. It was brutal. It was talking to brick wall after brick wall after brick wall. Like, every day, it was just, like, more and more intense, like, more of a throat vein or a forehead vein trying to express to people why this was wrong. Yeah, it was terrible."

Despite the challenges, Ortega expressed immense respect and admiration for her co-star, Paul Rudd. "Working with Paul, obviously, I was such a fan of his work previously, but also just such a sweet, normal, kind man," she said. She then playfully added, "He was fucking hell. [He’s not here so] I can acknowledge the fact that he’s a dick." This humorous remark underscores the lighthearted atmosphere on set, even amidst the pressure of maintaining a serious performance.

Ortega emphasized the ease with which she established a connection with Rudd, which translated into their characters’ on-screen relationship. "Truly, though, [he was] so easy to form chemistry with. Yeah, like—he’s great, so easy to work with, [and] so much fun. [He] made the energy lighter, and I think because I didn’t get to have [comedic fun]—I had plenty of fun on this [finding] that balance and not bearing into the territory that’s not yours, and make sure that everybody is in every right place. And it was a little bit hard with Paul [to not break], but he’s just so supportive and just incredible to work with."

"Death of a Unicorn" appears to be a film that embraces absurdity while exploring themes of morality, family, and the exploitation of nature. Ortega’s performance as the grounded and principled Ridley will likely provide a compelling counterpoint to the comedic antics of the supporting cast, while Rudd’s portrayal of the single father adds a layer of relatability to the fantastical narrative. The film’s release on March 28th promises to be a unique cinematic experience for fans of A24’s unconventional storytelling and those seeking a darkly humorous take on the fantasy genre. The dynamic between Ortega and Rudd, coupled with the eccentric performances of the supporting cast, suggests a film that will be both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. The film seems poised to be another conversation starter for A24 and a must-see for fans of the actors involved.