Review of Unicorn Store

By Dave B.

​In Unicorn Store (Netflix), Kit (Brie Larson) has just failed out of art school (due in large part to possessing an artistic style that is considered too childish) and moved back in with her well-meaning, but overly-concerned parents. In an attempt to prove herself an adult, Kit takes a job as a temp worker at some random company, doing some bland, pointless job. As Kit tries to adapt to her new life, she receives a mysterious invitation to a place called The Store. Intrigued, she goes there and discovers that The Store will provide her with her life’s greatest wish…a unicorn! But she’s got to prove that she’s worthy of it first.

Unicorn Store definitely isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s whimsical and colorful and lighthearted, which is in stark contrast to many modern coming of age stories. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, I understand, as I was reluctant to give this film a try. But I’m glad that I did. Despite it’s flaws (of which there are many), Unicorn Store is a nice change of pace for those that may need a break from…well…from adulting all the damn time.

Yes, Unicorn Store’s story is flat. It fails to make any reasonable, rational point about choosing to grow up versus choosing to remain a child. It’s attempts at emotional gravitas aren’t very successful. But if you allow yourself to fall into it’s fluff, Unicorn Store is enjoyable. It preaches the value of non-conformity, while at the same time not negating the value of connections with others. It’s a delicate balance, but Unicorn Store walks it well. And Larson’s performance is vivid, energetic, and refreshing, especially after how underwritten her character was in Captain Marvel. 

​In short, Unicorn Store isn’t going to win any awards, and it’s not likely to be a movie that you think much about after it’s over. But I’m recommending it because it succeeds in being a fun journey that shows that with enough effort, dreamers can find their own place in this world without compromising what makes themselves unique or having to live lives of solitude and being misunderstood. It’s a simple message, but one that is useful to be reminded of from time to time.

Rating: 6/10