Why the Unicorns Did That? Death of a Unicorn Ending Explained

Nivedita Dubey
March 30, 2025

Summary:

Death of a Unicorn ends ambiguously, leaving Elliot and Ridley’s fate uncertain after the unicorns crash their police car.
The unicorns’ motivations are unclear—either helping Elliot and Ridley escape or eliminating the last witnesses to their existence.
The film explores themes of family bonds, corporate greed, and the mystical nature of unicorns as ancient, powerful beings.

Death of a Unicorn delivers a darkly comedic horror experience, blending satire with intense action. The film follows Elliot and his daughter Ridley, who unknowingly disrupt a secret when they hit a unicorn foal with their car. As the film unfolds, the unicorns seek revenge, and by the end, an ambiguous finale leaves audiences questioning their true intentions. Here’s a breakdown of what happens in the movie’s ending and what it could mean.

Why Do the Unicorns Crash the Police Car?

The final moments of Death of a Unicorn see Elliot and Ridley arrested after surviving the bloodbath at the Leopold estate. As they are driven away, the unicorns pursue the police car, locking eyes with Elliot before violently ramming the vehicle off the road. This moment raises the question: were the unicorns saving them or ensuring their silence?

The unicorns’ actions suggest a protective nature toward Ridley, who formed a unique bond with them earlier in the film. She experiences a cosmic vision upon touching the foal’s horn, marking her as special. Given that the unicorns had just resurrected Elliot alongside their child, their behavior indicates a deeper connection. Their decision to attack the police car could be seen as an attempt to free Ridley and Elliot rather than harm them.

However, another interpretation is that the unicorns needed to eliminate all witnesses to their existence. The film implies that unicorns have been hunted throughout history, and their survival depends on secrecy. If the unicorns viewed Elliot and Ridley as threats to their safety, they might have acted out of self-preservation rather than protection.

Why Do the Unicorns Resurrect Elliot?

Elliot’s death comes after a brutal fight with Shepard Leopold. Stabbed with an arrow, he dies in Ridley’s arms. Moments later, the unicorns place Elliot beside their resurrected foal, using their horns’ mystical energy to bring him back to life. This act reveals that their horns possess not only healing but also resurrection abilities when their powers are combined.

The resurrection solidifies the unicorns’ spiritual and cosmic connection, reinforcing the idea that they operate on a different plane of existence. It also emphasizes Ridley’s significance—her relationship with the unicorns is special, making her more than just an accidental survivor. The film subtly suggests that Elliot’s revival is tied to Ridley’s bond with them, reinforcing her role as an “honored maiden” in their eyes.

What Happens to Elliot, Ridley, and the Unicorns?

The ending leaves Elliot and Ridley’s fate uncertain. If they survive the car crash, they could face suspicion for the massacre at the Leopold estate. While Griff, the butler, might defend them, powerful corporate entities could still come after them, knowing about the unicorns’ healing properties. If so, Elliot and Ridley might have to remain silent to protect themselves and the creatures.

As for the unicorns, they likely return to their hidden existence. With no remaining humans aware of their presence, they can continue living undisturbed. The film suggests that unicorns have always been part of the natural world, fading into myth only because humans stopped hunting them. The fact that they are seemingly immortal implies they will continue to exist in secrecy.

What Is the Meaning Behind Death of a Unicorn?

At its core, Death of a Unicorn is a satire on corporate greed and pharmaceutical exploitation. The Leopold family, obsessed with harnessing unicorns’ regenerative properties, represents the unethical lengths corporations will go to for profit. Their downfall is a direct consequence of their hubris, as the unicorns slaughter them one by one.

The film also explores familial bonds. Elliot and Ridley’s strained relationship is repaired through their shared survival. Meanwhile, the unicorn parents’ rampage is driven by their grief over their lost foal. The parallel between human and unicorn families highlights the universal theme of protecting one’s own, no matter the cost.

Where Did the Unicorns Come From?

The film doesn’t provide a definitive origin for the unicorns but hints at their ancient presence. Ridley’s research suggests they are a rare species that have always been part of the ecosystem. Their connection to cosmic energy implies a deeper, almost mystical significance, reinforcing their role as more than just mythical creatures—they are forces of nature.

What Happened to Griff?

Griff, the Leopold family’s butler, is the only other survivor of the unicorn attack. His last scene shows him following the police car, likely on his way to give a statement. Whether the unicorns spared him or targeted him like Elliot and Ridley is left ambiguous. Given his sympathetic portrayal and bond with Ridley, it’s possible he survived and could help clear their names.

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