Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega have garnered increasing attention from audiences over the last decade. Rudd, who launched his acting career in the 1995 films Clueless and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, gained substantial fame through his role as Scott Lang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man (2015). This character, a former felon who becomes a superhero, helped Rudd solidify his status as a leading man in comedy and action genres alike. Additionally, he has made a significant mark within the Ghostbusters franchise, featuring in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and the upcoming Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024).
Similarly, Jenna Ortega’s trajectory has seen a remarkable ascent. The 22-year-old actress began her professional journey as a child in series like CSI: NY, Days of Our Lives, and Jane the Virgin. However, it was her breakout role in Netflix’s Wednesday, a reimagining of The Addams Family, that truly propelled her into the spotlight. Ortega has embraced the horror genre, contributing to major titles such as Scream (2022), Scream VI (2023), and the highly anticipated Beetlejuice (2024), alongside her work on the upcoming season 2 of Wednesday.
Audience and Critical Responses: A Mixed Bag
Audience Reception versus Critical Acclaim
In a captivating collaboration, Rudd and Ortega star in A24’s Death of a Unicorn, a horror-comedy that sees Rudd portray Elliot Kintner and Ortega as his daughter Ridley. Together, they navigate a series of misfortunes after they accidentally kill a baby unicorn, igniting chaos and dark humor. A24—known for successful films like The Brutalist and Civil War—hopes to recreate the same financial success with this venture, which has a modest budget of just $15 million.
Projected earnings for Death of a Unicorn are around $5 million during its opening weekend; nonetheless, early reception has proven to be divisive. The film currently holds a 55% rating on the Tomatometer, as critics have offered mixed reviews; while some laud the film’s humor, others criticize its predictability and lack of engaging special effects. In contrast, audiences appear to be more favorable, reflecting a 74% approval on the Popcornmeter, suggesting that viewers are embracing the film’s comedic flair. These scores are likely to adjust as more people share their thoughts on the film.
Implications for “Death of a Unicorn”
Anticipating Word-of-Mouth Buzz
A24 films are typically characterized by their modest budgets and manageable expectations for box office returns. A $15 million budget means that the film only requires around $35 million overall to break even, taking marketing and distribution costs into account. However, a $5 million opening weekend does raise concerns about hitting this target.
Crucially, the movie’s success could heavily depend on word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied viewers. High audience ratings on the Popcornmeter could catalyze further interest, as enthusiastic recommendations can spread rapidly via social media. Although critics play a significant role in shaping perceptions initially, it is ultimately the audience’s engagement that can drive the film’s longevity and profitability. Hence, following its debut, Death of a Unicorn may likely rely on positive audience buzz for a prosperous run.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes