The Last Unicorn tells the story of a lone unicorn who begins searching for the rest of her kind. Along her journey, she experiences something altering the trajectory of her life. This movie deals with concepts like identity, being known, and finding your people.

Plot

After overhearing a hunter claim she was the last unicorn, Amalthea begins to wonder if there was any truth to the hunter’s words. So when a talebearing butterfly identifies Amalthea as a unicorn, she knows she simply cannot be the last. After hearing what little information the butterfly has pertaining to the whereabouts of her fellow unicorns, Amalthea sets out to the edge of the world to set them free. Along the way, she is captured, but she is set free by a magician named Schmendrick. They journey to King Haggard’s kingdom (the edge of the world), where they meet a woman named Molly Grue who–along with Schmendrick– recognizes Amalthea as a unicorn and not simply a white mare. As they spend the night outside Haggard’s castle, the Red Bull tries to corral Amalthea into the nearby ocean as he did with the rest of the unicorns ages ago. In an attempt to save her, Schmendrick turns Amalthea into a human. Later, while staying at Haggard’s castle, Amalthea begins to forget she was ever a unicorn. She even falls in love with Haggard’s adopted son, Prince Lir. Just as her last memory of being a unicorn is fading, Schmendrick uses his power to turn Amalthea back into a unicorn to draw the Red Bull out from his layer. The unicorns are set free when Amalthea drives the Red Bull into the sea. She thanks Schmendrick and Molly Grue for their help, and returns to her forest.

Identity

Amalthea, Schmendrick, and Molly Grue all struggle with identity throughout the movie. Amalthea experiences a human life full of regret which sets her apart from other unicorns. She accepts that she is now composed of human and unicorn parts, and she returns to her forest even though she is scared. Schmendrick believed he would never become a true magician, but when he turns Amalthea back into a unicorn, he realizes that he does have true power. Molly struggles with lost youth. When Molly first meets Amalthea, she curses her for coming into her life so late. All three of these characters struggled with identity in some way, but once they accept their flaws or insecurities, they grow from them.

Being Known

Amalthea struggles to be known by others for basically the entirety of the movie. It initially begins with her almost being captured by a farmer who calls her a white mare. She takes great offense to this and gallops away, leaving the old farmer to eat her dust. When she is really captured by the lowly witch Mommy Fortuna, she spends a few days in a cage with a spell on her. The spell gives Amalthea a false horn, or one visible to the unworthy eyes of onlookers. While she is here, she sees other mirages. She sees an old lion which has been construed by others as a manticore, a small snake which is taken for a serpent, and more. Amalthea is told that “only people eager to believe whatever comes easiest” see the poor creatures as legends. Since men lost the ability to see unicorns, even if one is right in front of their face, they think it is a white mare. Seeing people for what they truly are instead of what people generally take them to be is a valuable trait not many people possess. It’s important to not believe generalizations when there is more to the truth than what meets the eye.

Finding Your People

Since many people were no longer able to recognize unicorns, Amalthea feels out of place throughout her journey. At Mommy Fortuna’s Midnight Carnival, she is the only real “mythical” creature, though she still must be given a fake horn to appeal to others. Spectators would not have given her a second look if she didn’t have the fake horn. Nobody should have to uphold any kind of fakeness or disingenuity to garner appreciation or friendship. When Amalthea finds the rest of the unicorns, she realizes it is okay to be herself. This realization also helps her accept her humanity. If someone can’t be themself or is not appreciated nor understood by others because they are who they are, they need to move away from the people (or person) making them feel that way, even if it means being alone for a little while. When the right people come along, the wait will have been worth it.

Final Note

The Last Unicorn is without a doubt the best movie I’ve ever watched. I am confident nothing will ever top it for the rest of my life. Aside from the deeper meanings and themes, who doesn’t love unicorns? It’s also beautifully animated like old Disney movies were. I can’t recommend this movie enough.

-Cate M.