Warning: Spoilers ahead for Death of a Unicorn, currently in theaters.
Death of a Unicorn intricately weaves the rich history of the “Unicorn Tapestries”into its narrative, enhancing the film’s mythos. The story follows a father and daughter who accidentally collide with a unicorn in their car, leading them into a series of complex interactions with the creature’s parents. Despite the obvious dangers posed by unicorns, other characters remain skeptical. Jenna Ortega’s character, Ridley, delves into the legends surrounding these mystical beings, foreseeing the chaos that ensues, yet her warnings go largely unheeded.
One of the film’s most innovative storytelling elements is its integration of art history. Ridley’s journey leads to the discovery of the iconic Unicorn Tapestries, depicting a unicorn’s harrowing capture by hunters. This artistic backdrop parallels the movie’s narrative arc while introducing fresh elements that resonate with the film’s conclusion. Below, we explore the fascinating story behind the Unicorn Tapestries and their significance to the themes of Death of a Unicorn.
Expanding The Lore with The Unicorn Tapestries
Ridley’s Role as an Art Major Unveils Significant Revelations
Incorporating real folklore, Death of a Unicorn utilizes the historical context of the Unicorn Tapestries to deepen its narrative. Upon discovering the Leopold family’s intent to exploit the baby unicorn’s anatomy for medical reasons, Ridley embarks on an investigative journey into the animal’s past. Her research reveals the haunting story behind the Unicorn Tapestries, an exquisite piece from 16th-century France, portraying a maiden luring a unicorn into a trap. The film adeptly highlights the connections between Ridley’s findings and the unfolding plot.
Ridley’s innovative digital reconstruction of the obscured sections of the tapestry yields critical insights about unicorns. Although the original tapestries illustrated the creature’s capture, the missing elements hinted at dire repercussions for those who would attempt to imprison such beings. Ridley posits that these artistic works transition from warnings about the legendary animal to mere fantastical interpretations. Her insights ultimately prove correct.
Unicorn Tapestries Unraveled
Current Housing in The Cloisters, New York City
The Unicorn Tapestries, also referred to as the “Hunt of the Unicorn,”represent a collection of seven exquisite pieces crafted by anonymous artists in the Netherlands. Originally owned by the Rochefoucauld family, the artworks were believed lost during the French Revolution, only to be subsequently retrieved and restored, albeit with some damage. As detailed by The New Yorker, these exquisite pieces were acquired by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and now reside at The Cloisters in New York City.
While the tapestries depict a compelling narrative of hunters in pursuit of a unicorn, the piece “The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden”remains tragically incomplete. This absence resonates with the film’s climactic revelations regarding the present-day interpretations of these stories.
Integrating Tapestries into the Film’s Climax
Ridley as the Modern “Maiden” Enhances the Film’s Climax
The significance of the tapestries extends into pivotal plot developments within the film. A major twist reveals Ridley’s connection with the unicorns, positioning her as the modern “Maiden.”This bond becomes evident when she comforts the injured unicorn, demonstrating a profound link that protects her amidst danger. The older unicorns notably spare her life during critical moments, contrasting sharply with their swift retribution against other characters.
Ridley’s status as the Maiden grants her a unique ability to soothe the unicorns, which Shepard incorrectly attempts to manipulate for his benefit. After reviewing Ridley’s findings, Shepard becomes convinced that the unicorns will spare her. He seizes the opportunity to restrain the temporarily docile creatures, positioning himself for a possible triumph. However, Elliot’s attempt to intervene results in dire consequences, leading to Shepard’s demise as the unicorns unleash their fury. Ridley’s embrace of her role as the Maiden ultimately plays a crucial part in saving both her and Elliot from the authorities at the story’s conclusion.
Foreshadowing Deaths Through the Lost Tapestry
Credits Artfully Foreshadow Every Major Death
Throughout the film, Ridley leverages the Leopolds’ technology to replicate fragments of the unicorn tapestries, which eerily depict scenes of violence and death. The credits affirm that these artistic fragments presage the tragic fates faced by the Leopolds and other supporting characters, with viewers witnessing the danger implied in the lost artworks. The imagery is carefully curated, with each actor’s credit transitioning to distinct parts of the tapestry, visually paralleling their destinies.
While Elliot experiences a fatal encounter, he is revived by the unicorns, signified by his absence in the death-related imagery. Other characters meet gruesome ends: Odell is stabbed, Belinda is eviscerated, Shepard suffers a fatal kick, Dr. Bhatia is brutally torn apart, and Dr. Song is impaled—all foreshadowed within the tapestry’s lost fragments. Although only glimpsed once, the tapestry’s presence significantly hints at the grisly trajectory of Death of a Unicorn, effectively tying the macabre narrative to a historical artistic artifact.
Source: The New Yorker