Unicorn Store

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): April 5, 2019

3.2	USER SCORE Generally unfavorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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GachiAnikiApr 13, 2019

Brie Larson's directorial review. Honestly did not expect much from this movie. I assumed it would be like if a movie was directed via Twitter, and thats exactly what shines through. Cannot wait for Hollywood to be done with Brie Larson. HerBrie Larson's directorial review. Honestly did not expect much from this movie. I assumed it would be like if a movie was directed via Twitter, and thats exactly what shines through. Cannot wait for Hollywood to be done with Brie Larson. Her acting is garbage, the movie is boring, the writing is bad.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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JackmillerApr 7, 2019

Brie Larson’s directorial debut, Unicorn Store, is nothing so much as a series of quirks. In the film, Larson plays Kit, an immature art school dropout with an affinity for unicorns who’s moved back into to her parents’ house. After trying toBrie Larson’s directorial debut, Unicorn Store, is nothing so much as a series of quirks. In the film, Larson plays Kit, an immature art school dropout with an affinity for unicorns who’s moved back into to her parents’ house. After trying to get the ball rolling on an independent existence by acquiring a temp job at a PR firm, Kit makes the magical acquaintance of the mysterious Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson), who promises that, if she can prove to him that she has what it takes to care for a unicorn, he can get her one.

In portraying how Kit shoulders her adult responsibilities, the film attempts to give a realistic sense of how an unrealistic childhood fantasy can be sustained. But the film is much more interested in emphasizing the comedic whimsy of Kit’s misadventures than detailing the real-world problems she faces that will help her to mature. In this regard, Unicorn Store inadvertently becomes a celebration of its central character’s infantilism.

There’s a tonal imbalance to the way Larson depicts the obstacles Kit faces. Some of the narrative’s darker elements, such as sexual harassment at Kit’s PR firm, are treated with the same fanciful lightheartedness that marks Kit’s process of preparing for her prospective unicorn. Larson frames these harsh realities not as learning experiences, but as offhand jokes that Kit ultimately shrugs off due to her devil-may-care attitude. The film even includes a compelling subplot of Kit working on an advertising campaign that perpetuates moldy female stereotypes, but any potential this creates for Kit’s maturation is lost amid the spectacle of showing how she retains a sense of childlike wonder in a straight-laced, adult world.
Kit is characterized by a center-of-the-universe mindset that the film is largely unwilling to confront. In fact, it’s as if her parents (Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford) exist only to enable her behavior, a trait consistent with their depiction as hapless, uncool geezers. Which is why it feels so baffling when, in an uncharacteristically selfless act, Kit moves on from the idea of owning a unicorn by allowing someone else to have the one promised to her. And because of this one sacrifice, Unicorn Store believes that Kit is cured of her childishness.

But the effect of this presumably grown-up act is curbed by the fact that Kit’s friend, Virgil (Mamoudou Athie), has turned what was to be the unicorn stable in Kit’s backyard into what’s essentially a shrine to his friend. Packed to the gills with her childhood artworks, the stable is intended as a cute reminder to Kit that she can still hang onto her inner child, though mostly it scans as a creepy effigy to the crippling effects of Peter Pan syndrome.… Expand

14 of 15 users found this helpful141

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CrythorApr 6, 2019

Worst movie i have ever watched. The story is not only naive and poorly portraied but also lacks any depth. Every 3 year old child could conjure a more meaning full story and the only reason why this movie even found a home (which it couldntWorst movie i have ever watched. The story is not only naive and poorly portraied but also lacks any depth. Every 3 year old child could conjure a more meaning full story and the only reason why this movie even found a home (which it couldnt for quite some time), is that Netflix trys to ride the Marvel wave and fails to check for quality.… Expand

14 of 15 users found this helpful141

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Mathias01Apr 12, 2019

I watched this "movie" out of curiosity after all of the Captain Marvel controversy and all I have to say is I want those 92 minutes of my life back. I feel bad for Samuel Jackson being stuck with her again. As for this "movie" all I have toI watched this "movie" out of curiosity after all of the Captain Marvel controversy and all I have to say is I want those 92 minutes of my life back. I feel bad for Samuel Jackson being stuck with her again. As for this "movie" all I have to say is the main character Kit is unlikable, bratty and acts like the world owes her. Hmm, kind of like the actress who portrays her. One item of note. This was actually made in 2017. I never heard of it until now. Just like that guy on Twitter said "this movie is riding CM's wave".… Expand

12 of 13 users found this helpful121

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chapoguzmanApr 7, 2019

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12 of 13 users found this helpful121

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SuperJezApr 7, 2019

Muddled and incoherent. "Whimsy" comes off as off more as belligerent annoyance.

11 of 12 users found this helpful111

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GoreministerApr 8, 2019

I make it plain and simple: This movie isn´t worth your time. It´s just a dull and plain version of The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. Better watch this flick instead of this miserable try of Brie Larson. Bad acting, bad directing, bad movie.

9 of 10 users found this helpful91

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dc127Apr 11, 2019

The opinion on this film may just come down to life point. The main character is unlikeable and very entitled. She is a perfect caricature of a millennial. I don't think this was done as a parody, it comes off like Larson actually thoughtThe opinion on this film may just come down to life point. The main character is unlikeable and very entitled. She is a perfect caricature of a millennial. I don't think this was done as a parody, it comes off like Larson actually thought this would be a good protagonist. A 25 year old I work with thought it was the best movie ever. Everyone else I've talked to thought it was terrible. Turns out what works as acting in a psychological thriller about being locked in a room doesn't translate to any other acting . . . or directing. Larson is overrated and wastes a great supporting cast.… Expand

8 of 9 users found this helpful81

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RowdyRafeApr 9, 2019

Bleh movie by a bland director and a bad actress. I feel bad for Samuel L. Jackson. Tries to appeal to the inner child and sense of sentimentality, but fails hard.

Go watch any other movie on Netflix.

8 of 9 users found this helpful81

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leaveitApr 12, 2019

How ironic that Larson's extreme intent for diversity, representation, and pulling Hollywood out of the writing rut that it's stuck in manifests in yet another Magical Negro movie. For those curious, a Magical Negro is a mentor or interloper,How ironic that Larson's extreme intent for diversity, representation, and pulling Hollywood out of the writing rut that it's stuck in manifests in yet another Magical Negro movie. For those curious, a Magical Negro is a mentor or interloper, usually written by a white person, in a story about white folks, essentially taking the role of a "Manic Pixie Dream Girl." The white people are stuck in life and lack guidance until a kindly, usually elderly or disabled, black person (think Morgan Freeman's usual role or Whoopi's Guinan from Star Trek TNG) intervenes and shows them the magic of the world - because they are magical after all. The double implication of this movie's release on Netflix combined with the subject matter show that Larson and Jackson are veterans of the exploitation genre, and don't particularly actually care about advancing social justice through the medium of film.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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ThemBakerBoysApr 15, 2019

Brie Larson must have made a deal with the devil. It is beyond comprehension how she continues to get projects like this. She is completely devoid of charm and humor. Her characters are flat and boring. There is nothing compelling orBrie Larson must have made a deal with the devil. It is beyond comprehension how she continues to get projects like this. She is completely devoid of charm and humor. Her characters are flat and boring. There is nothing compelling or watchable about her as an actress. Unicorn Store in particular is immature, naive and preachy all at the same time. Her disdain for white, male authority figures is again on display and again... Samuel L. Jackson is on the scene to back up her juvenile attitudes. Her character is a stunted growth, narcissist millennial who thinks that the world revolves around her and expects all of the other characters to make her the center of their attention as well. She parades through this idiotic story caked in rainbow sparkles with some foggy message about staying childlike and not losing your imagination or creativity or something. It's all very murky and Brie, herself, is the weakest link. The story is a mess, the tone shifts constantly, attempts at humor fall flat and her character is annoying and contemptible. Why would Netflix green-light this disaster? Who is Brie Larson giving sexual favors to that she keeps getting work?… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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OttoVonCHammerApr 9, 2019

Pretentious nonsense garbage by a terrible wooden fool. Appeals to really nobody and reduces art to nonsense. Shouldn't have been made, money should have been donated and it would have made a much much bigger impact on the world.

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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kentsangcanadaApr 7, 2019

bad acting directed by bad director Brie Larson, Trash movie waste of time garbage movie

11 of 14 users found this helpful113

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sheporgan1Apr 7, 2019

I was gonna write a review but said SuperJez it best.
"Muddled and incoherent. "Whimsy" comes off as off more as belligerent annoyance."

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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adrionleeyekelApr 8, 2019

+"bad acting directed by bad director Brie Larson, Trash movie waste of time garbage movie"

8 of 11 users found this helpful83

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kszwedaApr 13, 2019

Worst piece of garbage I ever seen. It is boring and not funny at all. Stay away !!!

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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TrunkisApr 9, 2019

This movie sucks and blows at the same time, as physically impossible as it sounds.

7 of 12 users found this helpful75

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PetjonApr 28, 2019

Just... Bad... Like not funny bad watch it to get drunk bad just shut off bad.
The story summed up is pretty much "Girl want to be a fantastical artist and get a unicorn"
and thats the whole movie, she doesnt learn anything, no growth, nothing.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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witriakerMay 21, 2021

I used to dislike Brie Larson, but after seeing this movie, I kind of feel sad for her. She really seems to be very sad, and everyone pandering her every action, is really not helping her. That a movie like this get greenlighted, isI used to dislike Brie Larson, but after seeing this movie, I kind of feel sad for her. She really seems to be very sad, and everyone pandering her every action, is really not helping her. That a movie like this get greenlighted, is mindblowing. I think I get were she was going for, but the execution was not good. There are a couple of good scenes here and there, but overall, a really disturbing film. In a really bad way.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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