Can’t Wait for 'Wednesday' Season 2? Stream This Overlooked Jenna Ortega Horror First

Published 07/31/2025, 1:40 AM EDT

Jenna Ortega has swiftly become a force in Hollywood, known for her magnetic screen presence and her reign as a modern scream queen. While her iconic portrayal, from not blinking eyes to expecting real pig blood, propelled her to superstardom, Ortega consistently seeks out diverse projects that confuse whether to laugh or get scared. Her recent venture offers a unique blend of fantasy, horror, and dark comedy, showcasing her versatile talent beyond major franchises.

Now streaming, this film provides the perfect opportunity to witness Jenna Ortega's latest enchanting performance before she reprises her role as Wednesday Addams.

Jenna Ortega's A24 horror is all set to stream

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Streaming on HBO Max, Death of a Unicorn, Death of a Unicorn, written and directed by Alex Scharfman, reimagines the mythical creature in a darkly humorous way. The film follows Ridley (Jenna Ortega) and her father Elliot (Paul Rudd), who accidentally hit what appears to be a unicorn. This encounter leads to astonishing healing properties for them, but soon reveals the creature's true nature; its parents are vengeful, bloodthirsty monsters when provoked. The movie cleverly blends fantasy elements with slasher-style horror, promising a wild and unpredictable ride for viewers.

Beyond its fantastical premise, the film also offers sharp social commentary and a story that includes money, greed, and the consequences through its portrayal of the wealthy Leopold family. Their heartless exploitation of the unicorn's powers becomes a central theme, providing both dark humor and a critique of greed. This unique blend of creature feature horror and satirical observation makes Death of a Unicorn an intriguing watch, subverting traditional unicorn folklore with a violent twist. The movie is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.

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Jenna Ortega's involvement, coupled with a supporting cast, elevates this film, making it more than just a creature feature.

Jenna Ortega and the ensemble that shines in Death of a Unicorn

Jenna Ortega, in her role as Ridley, delivers another sardonic teenage performance, yet imbues the character with a more empathetic core than her previous goth-icon persona. Her portrayal highlights the strained but believable father-daughter chemistry with Paul Rudd, grounding the film's fantastical elements with genuine emotion. Ortega even got praised by Paul Rudd himself for her flawless acting. This role allows Ortega to play to her strengths as a horror actress, proving her capabilities extend far beyond delivering a mere scream.

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The film is further boosted by an ensemble cast, including the amusingly self-serving Leopold family portrayed by Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni, and Will Poulter. Their exaggerated characters provide a comedic counterpoint to Ortega and Rudd's more grounded performances, enhancing the film's satirical edge. Death of a Unicorn embraces its bizarre premise, delivering a fun, weird, and surprisingly effective blend of horror-comedy that explores themes of exploitation through its unique take on mythical creatures.

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Are you ready to see the fantasy of Death of a Unicorn, and Jenna Ortega in a role that defies expectations? Let us know in the comments below.

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Soma Mitra

156 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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