Death of a Unicorn, the 2025 American comedy-horror film directed by Alex Scharfman, has already generated a significant buzz for its quirky premise and star-studded cast, including Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and Will Poulter.
The movie’s plot, revolving around a father-daughter duo who accidentally kill a unicorn and are subsequently hunted by its enraged parents, offers a unique blend of humor, suspense, and supernatural horror. As we eagerly await its theatrical release on March 28, 2025, let’s delve into the film’s highly anticipated soundtrack, which promises to be as wild and unpredictable as the film itself.
A Unique Composition Collaboration
Initially, Death of a Unicorn had its score set to be composed by the legendary John Carpenter, alongside his collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, whose work on atmospheric, synth-driven soundtracks has become synonymous with modern horror.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Death of a Unicorn‘s composition duties were reassigned to Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco in February 2025, just a month before the film’s release.
Dan Romer, known for his work on films such as Beasts of the Southern Wild and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, is a composer whose versatility spans from intimate, emotional scores to larger, more dynamic soundscapes.
Giosuè Greco, on the other hand, has a background in creating experimental soundscapes, and his contributions are expected to provide a unique edge to the film’s score.
Together, Romer and Greco have crafted a sound that blends eerie atmospheres with vibrant, unexpected moments that reflect the film’s tone—an unpredictable mixture of horror and dark comedy.
The Soundtrack’s Impact on the Narrative
At its core, Death of a Unicorn is a story about the collision of the fantastical with the everyday, where mundane family dynamics are disrupted by a supernatural event. Romer and Greco’s soundtrack mirrors this balance, with music that fluctuates between light-hearted, almost whimsical moments and the tense, ominous beats fitting of a supernatural thriller.
The soundtrack is expected to play a critical role in building the emotional landscape of the film, enhancing its dark comedy while amplifying the horror elements. The story involves not only the accidental death of a unicorn but also the pursuit of revenge by its parents, which naturally provides opportunities for music to heighten both the absurdity and intensity of these high-stakes moments.
Trailer Score of Death of a Unicorn
The official trailer for Death of a Unicorn, which dropped on December 18, 2024, gave us an exciting preview of the soundtrack’s vibe.
It features a rendition of Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, a song often associated with innocence, nostalgia, and positive vibes. Its inclusion in the trailer, especially given the film’s dark and twisted premise, highlights the film’s playful yet unpredictable tone, where upbeat melodies clash with the impending danger and absurdity of the plot.
This unexpected mash-up of iconic pop music with the film’s darker moments suggests that Romer and Greco might play with genres, contrasting light, feel-good sounds with menacing or dissonant ones to create a jarring, memorable auditory experience.
A Preview of What’s to Come
Though a full tracklist for Death of a Unicorn has yet to be released, it’s safe to expect that the soundtrack will feature a variety of instrumental pieces, likely weaving in electronic and orchestral elements.
Romer’s ability to craft haunting, melancholic melodies will undoubtedly work in tandem with Greco’s experimental approach to sound, blending traditional horror motifs with unusual and eerie instrumentation.
Given the film’s supernatural aspects and its emphasis on both horror and humor, we can anticipate music that plays with contrasts—whether that’s a sinister choir following an otherwise lighthearted moment or an unexpected shift in tempo that mirrors the chaos on screen.
The film’s use of a renowned mix engineer like Mike Tuccillo and orchestrator John Zarcone only adds to the excitement, signaling that the final soundtrack will be polished and multifaceted, combining digital effects with more classical arrangements to create an atmosphere that is both modern and unsettling.
Conclusion: A Soundtrack to Match the Madness
As Death of a Unicorn prepares for its theatrical release on March 28, 2025, the soundtrack by Dan Romer and Giosuè Greco is shaping up to be a defining element of the film.
With its darkly comedic premise, the score promises to be an unpredictable ride, using a blend of eerie soundscapes, experimental elements, and clever musical references that highlight the film’s absurdity and tension.
From the chaotic energy of chasing unicorn parents to the quieter, more haunting moments of grief and desperation, Romer and Greco’s score will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
As fans anticipate the full release of the soundtrack, it’s clear that the music will be as integral to the experience of Death of a Unicorn as the film’s eccentric plot and colorful characters.
Whether you’re drawn in by the horror, the comedy, or the quirky unicorn antics, the soundtrack will no doubt provide the perfect auditory accompaniment to this wild cinematic journey.
This article explores the upcoming soundtrack for Death of a Unicorn without relying on a complete tracklist but instead focusing on the anticipated impact and collaboration behind it. Would you like to explore any specific part of the soundtrack or film in more detail?