The Unicorn 2019

In a lush forest, two seasoned hunters (one’s identity remains undisclosed) venture forth in search of their quarry, only to find themselves wandering through an enchanted realm where fantastical creatures roam free under the protective veil of a mystical aura. Before departing, one of the hunters utters a warning to the Unicorn that she may be the last of her kind, sparking a sense of doubt and trepidation within her. As the Unicorn embarks on a perilous journey to discover whether her kin still exist, she encounters a wise and whimsical talking butterfly who whispers tales of a Red Bull, a formidable force responsible for leading her kind away from their ancient habitats. Undeterred by the perils that lie ahead, the Unicorn presses on, driven by an insatiable longing to reunite with her fellow creatures.

Her odyssey takes an unexpected turn when she falls prey to the cunning and magical charms of Mommy Fortuna, the enigmatic leader of a traveling carnival, who weaves spells that transform ordinary animals into mythical beings. The Unicorn finds herself the sole authentic legendary creature among the troupe, except for the enigmatic harpy, Celaeno. Schmendrick, a charismatic magician with ties to the carnival, recognizes the Unicorn’s true nature and liberates her from Fortuna’s clutches. Empowered by their newfound freedom, the Unicorn sets forth to release the other creatures from their artificial disguises, including Celaeno, who ultimately exacts revenge upon Mommy Fortuna.

As the Unicorn and Schmendrick converge on the foreboding stronghold of King Haggard, a ruthless and cunning ruler whose dominion is marked by an aura of darkness. When Schmendrick falls into the clutches of a bandit gang, the Unicorn springs into action to rescue her companion, attracting the attention of Molly Grue, the mistress of the bandits’ leader. Together, they arrive in Hagsgate, the first town Haggard conquered on his path to imperial power. A local villager named Drinn shares with them a tale of a curse that binds their community, stating that its fortunes will be tied to those of King Haggard’s castle until someone from Hagsgate finds the strength to bring it down. According to Drinn, he discovered an abandoned baby boy in the town’s marketplace one fateful night and left him where he lay, unwilling to see the prophecy come to pass. It was King Haggard who found and adopted the child, sowing the seeds of a fate that would forever alter the course of their lives.

As they approach Haggard’s foreboding castle, the trio - Molly, Schmendrick (played by), and the Unicorn - are ambushed by the relentless Red Bull. In a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to aid his companion, Schmendrick unwittingly transforms the majestic Unicorn into a mortal woman, Lady Amalthea. The sudden shift in reality prompts the Red Bull to abandon its pursuit, leaving the pair stunned and disoriented. The newly humanized Unicorn struggles to comprehend the fragile nature of mortality, while Schmendrick explains that his own immortality prevents him from performing true magic unless he is mortal himself. With a gentle nudge, he encourages Amalthea to persevere in her quest, and together they infiltrate Haggard’s castle under the guise of servitude.

As they navigate the treacherous halls, Schmendrick introduces Lady Amalthea as “Her Majesty” to Haggard, who is none the wiser. Meanwhile, Prince Lír falls deeply under Amalthea’s spell, unaware of her true nature as a Unicorn. Haggard reveals that his own happiness stems from the presence of the unicorns, which he has trapped in the sea for his personal benefit. As Amalthea begins to unravel the mysteries of Haggard’s kingdom, she is met with accusations and veiled threats.

Guided by cryptic clues left by a cunning feline friend, Molly, Schmendrick, and Amalthea uncover the lair of the Red Bull, joined by Lír. When the beast attacks, Schmendrick performs a desperate act of magic, transforming Amalthea back into her Unicorn form and sacrificing his own immortality in the process. Fueled by a mix of anger, sorrow, and determination, the Unicorn harnesses her powers to drive the Red Bull into the sea, freeing its captive brethren. As Haggard’s castle crumbles behind them, the unicorns make their triumphant return to their forest homes.

In the aftermath of their victory, the Unicorn tends to Lír’s mortal wounds with the healing touch of her horn. With his newfound kingdom and a sense of responsibility, Lír sets out to rebuild the ravaged town of Hagsgate, leaving Schmendrick and Molly to wander into the outskirts of his domain. The Unicorn, now wiser for her experiences, shares a poignant moment with Schmendrick before departing for her forest, forever changed by the lessons she has learned about love and regret.

As Schmendrick and Molly continue their journey, they stumble upon a princess in distress, whom Schmendrick advises to seek out Lír, now hailed as a hero. The duo then treats themselves to a duet of longing and devotion, their harmonious voices echoing across the landscape.