Death Of A Unicorn Final Scene And Cliffhanger

Nivedita Dubey
April 10, 2025

Summary:

Death of a Unicorn ends with a unicorn-induced car crash cliffhanger after resurrecting Elliot.
The unicorns’ actions blend rescue and chaos, highlighting their unpredictable nature.
The story concludes Ridley and Elliot’s arc while reinforcing nature’s dominance over greed.

Death of a Unicorn (2025) delivers a bold, ambiguous ending that merges fantasy horror with emotional closure. The film’s final scene leaves viewers questioning the unicorns’ intent while bringing Ridley and Elliot’s fractured relationship full circle. Here’s a breakdown of the ending and what the final unicorn encounter really means.

What Happens in the Final Scene of Death of a Unicorn?

In the film’s climactic moments, Elliot (Paul Rudd) is fatally wounded by Shepard Leopold (Will Poulter) after trying to save his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) from being used as unicorn bait. Shepard, attempting to exploit the unicorns’ healing powers, is killed when Elliot stabs him with the baby unicorn’s horn. As Elliot dies from his wounds, Ridley cries beside him—her sorrow deepening their emotional reconnection.

The unicorn parents arrive, combining their horns with the resurrected foal’s to revive Elliot. In this brief mystical moment, Elliot experiences a vision similar to Ridley’s earlier unicorn-induced hallucination. His whispered line, “I saw it too,” marks a full emotional reconciliation with his daughter, signaling mutual understanding.

Soon after, police arrive at the massacre-ridden Leopold estate. Despite their protests that “unicorns did it,” Elliot and Ridley are arrested as suspects. In the back of a police cruiser, Ridley rests her head on Elliot’s shoulder—mirroring the film’s opening scene but with roles reversed, showcasing their healed bond.

What Is the Cliffhanger at the End of Death of a Unicorn?

As the police cruiser drives through the same mountainous road seen at the film’s start, Elliot and Ridley spot the three unicorns galloping beside them. One unicorn locks eyes with Elliot, exchanging a silent but intense stare. Suddenly, the unicorns ram the cruiser off the road. The screen cuts to black as the sound of a crash plays.

This abrupt ending leaves the characters’ fates unresolved. Director Alex Scharfman described the unicorns’ actions as a naive rescue attempt, not a violent attack. According to his interpretation, the unicorns perceive Elliot and Ridley as allies and are trying to “free” them from captivity, unaware of how human systems work.

However, the film’s tone introduces ambiguity. The unicorns have previously acted with intense brutality, killing Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant) and Dr. Bhatia in gruesome ways. This contrast between benevolence and savagery casts doubt on their true intent.

How Does the Ending Tie into the Film’s Themes?

The final moments bring the story full circle. The film begins with a fatal car accident involving the unicorn foal and ends with a second car crash, now instigated by the unicorns. This symmetry underscores the story’s themes: nature’s vengeance, human exploitation, and emotional healing.

The unicorns’ return is not just physical—it’s symbolic of the film’s larger message. Their actions challenge the human assumption of control over nature. Despite the Leopolds’ attempts to weaponize the unicorns’ powers, nature reclaims authority in violent, unexpected ways.

At the same time, Elliot and Ridley’s relationship reaches a resolution. The moment she rests her head on his shoulder is a reversal of the film’s beginning, highlighting their emotional growth. Whether or not they survive the crash, their journey together is complete.

What Do the Unicorns Represent in the Final Scene?

The unicorns in Death of a Unicorn function as more than mythical creatures—they are enforcers of nature’s balance. Their power to both heal and kill reflects a primal duality. They act instinctively, driven not by malice or mercy but by a mystical logic alien to humans.

In interviews, Scharfman compared their behavior to “animal logic”, noting how they earlier slipped on stairs and misunderstood human environments. Their act of ramming the cruiser may be an innocent attempt to help, reinforcing their unpredictable role.

Despite their violent methods, the unicorns resurrected Elliot, suggesting a bond with him and Ridley. This connection was established early on when Ridley touched the baby unicorn’s horn—an act that initiated her visions and mystical link with the creatures.

Does the Ending Set Up a Sequel to Death of a Unicorn?

Although the ending is open-ended, the filmmakers have stated that Death of a Unicorn is a standalone film. Scharfman and Ortega both emphasized that the emotional closure between Elliot and Ridley makes a sequel unnecessary. The film offers no post-credits scene and avoids teasing future events.

The lack of definitive closure serves a thematic purpose. The unicorns’ dominance, the unresolved fate of the protagonists, and the blend of horror and absurdity all support a final note of ambiguity. It reinforces the idea that nature, in all its mystery, cannot be tamed or fully understood.

Where and When Did Death of a Unicorn Release?

Death of a Unicorn was released in theaters on March 28, 2025, distributed by A24. As of early April, the film remains in theatrical rotation, with a potential streaming release expected later in 2025, though no official date has been announced.

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