| Director | Brie Larson |
|---|---|
| Genre | comedy film |
| Runtime | 92 min |
| Country | United States |
Kit, a failed artist, moves back in with her parents and takes a temp job at a PR agency. At work, Kit meets the vice president, Gary, who is extremely awkward and makes inappropriate advances.
Shortly after starting, Kit receives a mysterious letter from "the Salesman" who invites her to "the Store" that sells "what you need." He offers to fulfill her childhood fantasy of owning a unicorn. Kit must prepare by meeting specific requirements.
The first requirement is to provide an adequate unicorn living enclosure. Kit hires Virgil, a hardware store employee, to build a stable without telling him what for. Soon, they begin to talk and spend time together. The second requirement is to prepare to feed the unicorn. Kit and Virgil buy hay on a day trip together and further get to know each other.
Gary offers Kit an opportunity to present a vacuum cleaner marketing pitch. During this time, Kit receives the next requirement and learns she must be able to surround the unicorn with a loving environment but realizes her poor relationship with her parents prevents this.
On the weekend that Kit should be preparing her work presentation, she goes on an "Emotion Quest" wilderness trip with her parents, confronting them during the "truth circle" time, leading to a family discussion. They end up arguing, furthering tensions between her and her parents.
Once Kit returns home, she finds inspiration for her presentation and works all night. The next requirement is that she can financially support the unicorn.
Kit's flamboyant presentation is not well received by the business executives, who watch in stunned silence. They unanimously opt for a different pitch, using an attractive model. Kit leaves/gets fired from her job. On a date with Virgil, he asks her to reveal the secret of the stable's purpose. Kit tells him about the unicorn store, bringing him to it, only to find it is gone. Kit's confusion turns to anger as she feels betrayed. Virgil becomes concerned, telling her that she's been conned, but assuring her that he doesn't think she's crazy. Kit exits angrily, leaving Virgil standing there, where he sees some hay on the ground.
Kit gives up on her dream of owning a unicorn and throws out all of her childhood art and supplies. After a healing moment with her mother, Kit tries to reach out to Virgil and visits his store, but he is not there. She leaves an apologetic message on his voicemail, and later finds that Virgil has finished the stable, decorating it with the artwork that she had thrown out.
The Salesman calls to tell Kit the unicorn has arrived. When she hesitates, the Salesman tells her there is another person waiting if Kit doesn't get it. Virgil urges Kit not to go. Despondent, Kit says if she doesn't go, she will always wonder. When she arrives, Kit finds the unicorn is actually there. She talks to the unicorn, thanking him when he was there for her when nobody else was, and finally gains closure. She decides not to take the unicorn with her and leaves it for the next customer. Virgil comes in and sees the unicorn as well. They leave hand-in-hand, astonished at all they had just experienced.