Unicorn Store – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Unicorn Store

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brie Larson's whimsical quarter-life crisis fantasy about adopting a unicorn—charming premise, but audiences found it more cringe than magical.

66%

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Unicorn Store

movie

6, 2017

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brie Larson's whimsical quarter-life crisis fantasy about adopting a unicorn—charming premise, but audiences found it more cringe than magical.

66%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Unicorn Store has a genuinely charming premise—who doesn't want a unicorn?—but it's one of those movies where the idea is better than the execution. Brie Larson's directorial debut aims for quirky indie magic but lands somewhere between 'mildly charming' and 'trying too hard.'

The critics were lukewarm (66%) but audiences really didn't vibe with it (43%), and that 2.8/5 Letterboxd score tells you everything—this is a skip for most people. It's not unsafe or problematic, just... not particularly good. The themes about holding onto dreams while facing adult disappointment could resonate with middle schoolers, but the execution is apparently so uneven that it's hard to recommend.

If your tween is obsessed with unicorns and can handle some melancholy about growing up, maybe give it a shot on a rainy day. But honestly? There are better movies about imagination and self-discovery that won't leave you checking how much time is left.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11-14 who can handle themes of failure and disappointment wrapped in whimsy. Younger kids may be drawn to the unicorn premise but will likely find the adult quarter-life crisis stuff boring. Older teens will probably find it too cutesy and poorly executed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Brie Larson's directorial debut centers on whimsy and childhood dreams without cynicism. The premise—an art school dropout receiving an invitation to adopt a unicorn—is fundamentally gentle and optimistic. Common Sense Media's age 11+ rating suggests emotionally appropriate content. However, the film deals with adult themes of failure, moving back home, and quarter-life crisis that may feel melancholic. Mixed audience reception (43% RT audience) hints at tonal inconsistency that could undermine the wholesome intent.

Imaginative

The core concept—a literal unicorn store that fulfills childhood dreams—is inherently imaginative and fantastical. The film celebrates creativity and artistic expression through Kit's character as an art school student. However, the 2.8/5 Letterboxd rating and 44 Metacritic score suggest the execution may feel derivative or underdeveloped. Critics gave it 66% while audiences gave 43%, indicating the imaginative premise didn't fully land in practice. The whimsy may feel forced rather than genuinely inventive.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it appropriate for age 11+, suggesting minimal concerning content. The premise is fantastical rather than violent or scary. No MPAA rating listed, but the unicorn-themed story implies family-friendly intent. The main 'risks' are likely mild adult themes (job loss, parental disappointment, romantic subplot) rather than graphic content. Netflix platform is generally reliable for content warnings. No indication of surprise violence, gore, or inappropriate sexual content.

Enriching

The film explores themes of pursuing dreams, dealing with failure, and reconciling childhood aspirations with adult reality—potentially meaningful for tweens/teens navigating identity. However, the poor audience reception (43% RT, 5.6 IMDb) and low Letterboxd score (2.8/5) suggest weak execution that undermines any enriching potential. The 44 Metacritic indicates critics found it lacking depth. While the themes could spark conversations about growing up and staying creative, the film apparently doesn't deliver these insights compellingly enough to be truly enriching.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates imagination and holding onto childhood wonder in a world that demands conformity
Features a female protagonist navigating failure and self-discovery without a romantic rescue plot being central
Visually colorful and fantastical elements appeal to kids who love magical realism
Could validate feelings for tweens/teens struggling with expectations vs. reality

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What to Watch For

The film deals with adult disappointment—getting kicked out of art school, moving back home, feeling like a failure—which may be heavy for sensitive younger viewers
Quirky humor and pacing apparently didn't land for most audiences (43% liked it), so expect potential boredom or eye-rolling
The metaphor of 'earning' a unicorn through various tasks may feel forced or confusing
Some mild romantic subplot and workplace dynamics aimed at adults, not kids

Conversation Starters

"If you could have any magical creature, what would it be and why? What would you need to do to take care of it?"
"Kit feels like she failed at art school. Have you ever felt like you weren't good at something you loved? How did that feel?"
"The movie is about childhood dreams vs. grown-up reality. What's something you dream about doing when you're older?"
"Do you think the unicorn is real or is it a metaphor for something else? What could it represent?"

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