{"id":11272,"date":"2025-03-22T02:29:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T02:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusionmindlabs.com\/blogs\/jenna-ortega-on-not-laughing-in-killer-unicorn-movie\/"},"modified":"2025-03-22T02:29:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T02:29:44","slug":"jenna-ortega-on-not-laughing-in-killer-unicorn-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusionmindlabs.com\/blogs\/jenna-ortega-on-not-laughing-in-killer-unicorn-movie\/","title":{"rendered":"Jenna Ortega on Not Laughing in Killer Unicorn Movie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/p>\n
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Io9 recently had the opportunity to attend an exclusive screening of A24’s upcoming film, Death of a Unicorn<\/a><\/em>, which features Jenna Ortega<\/a> (Wednesday<\/em><\/a>) and Paul Rudd (Avengers: Endgame<\/em>) as a daughter and father who inadvertently run over a unicorn, a premise that seems quintessentially A24.<\/p>\n

Following the screening, director Alex Scharfman led a Q&A session with Ortega and other cast members (with the exception of Rudd) to discuss the dark modern fantasy comedy. Death of a Unicorn<\/em> offers a unique, art-house take on the concept explored in Cabin in the Woods<\/em>, pitting the destructive nature of a unicorn against a group of wealthy, unserious individuals and a well-meaning single father (Rudd) attempting to do what’s best for his daughter (Ortega), who unknowingly forms a bond with the injured unicorn.<\/p>\n

Ortega revealed that her biggest challenge during filming was maintaining a straight face amidst her co-stars’ (including Tea Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Will Poulter, and Anthony Carrigan) ridiculous antics as their characters attempted to harness the unicorn’s powers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean this in the kindest way possible: I couldn\u2019t trust anyone on set,\u201d she confessed to the audience. \u201cI couldn\u2019t make eye contact with anyone; I didn\u2019t want to look at certain people.\u201d She shared a specific example: \u201cThere\u2019s a bit where Anthony walks by, using a clock as a barrier, and there\u2019s not one take where I look in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the film’s moral core and audience surrogate, Ortega’s character, Ridley, undergoes comedic torture in defense of the unicorn. She recalled, \u201cThere were many moments where Paul was playful on set, adding little things. It\u2019s strange because I\u2019m supposed to be the most serious one in the film, trying to convince everyone why their actions are wrong, but no one listens until the third act.\u201d She described the experience as \u201cbrutal,\u201d saying, \u201cIt was like talking to a brick wall every day, trying to express why this was wrong. It was intense, like my throat vein or forehead vein was about to burst.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ortega continued to share her on-set experiences, saying, \u201cWorking with Paul, I was a fan of his work beforehand, and he\u2019s also a kind, normal man.\u201d In a lighthearted joke, she added, \u201cHe was hell to work with, but since he\u2019s not here, I can say that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two actors’ rapport helped build a strong on-screen relationship between their characters. Ortega noted, \u201cHe\u2019s great, easy to work with, and fun. He made the energy lighter, and I think it was helpful that I didn\u2019t get to have comedic fun, so I had to find that balance and ensure everyone was in the right place.\u201d She acknowledged that it was sometimes difficult not to break character, especially with Paul, but praised him as \u201csupportive and incredible to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n