‘Unicorns’ (2025) Review – Finding Love And Identity In A Restless World

From the moment our eyes fall on Aysha, the world shifts. It’s the perfect character for the perfect film; vibrant, energetic, funny, and free-spirited. Not only is the dull Luke mesmerized, but so are we. With Unicorns, Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd create a drama that defies categorization. Characters are a blend of backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Sexual fluidity is the name of the game between Luke, a straight man, and Aysha, a femme drag queen (Ashiq’s ‘realism’ drag persona), whose lives collide and intertwine unexpectedly, allowing their similarities to counteract their differences and love to bring them together.

The script deftly crafts the inner and outer rich worlds of Luke and Aysha. It effortlessly engages the viewers, stirring their curiosity to wonder about the two leads equally. We become so invested in their worlds that following the narrative doesn’t become a burden as much as it is a pleasure and a joy. 

One of the scenes that truly touched my soul is Aysha (as Ashiq) performing wudu (the Islamic ritual washing before prayers) and praying. It is the first time I see it through the eyes of a liberated, anti-stereotypical Muslim character like that. A Muslim femme drag queen who, instead of discarding one of her identities, embodies both Muslim and realism queen, but beyond labels, she defies everything. Floyd perfectly outlines the complexity of Muslim identity in ways that few films before this have accomplished. This results in scenes that would be an eye-opener for everyone, especially people not from the South Asian community, and a portal into fascinating, exquisite dynamics between people whose differences can’t be more stark, but their similarities are what bring them together and reveal their humanity.

The contrast between Aysha and Luke is fascinating to witness; the more reserved and emotionally closed in he is, the freer she becomes. Their relationship blossoms into the beautiful complexity of our modern times, where gender, roles, and stereotypes are thankfully waning away, leaving place for a more liberated approach to love and gender expression. In their quest for identity, both Luke and Aysha succeed in finding peace and bridging the distance between their lives and backgrounds. Aysha liberates Luke, allowing him to tap into places inside himself he never thought existed. Her spirited boldness and sassiness bring out the best in him.

Luke is drawn into Aysha’s world, the underground gaysian scene in London. His dull, rough life as a single father and struggling mechanic opens up to the queen’s world of makeup, jewelry, and fancy fabrics. But the film is not devoid of some darker moments, ones that could be difficult to watch, but in the greatest context of the story, they are emphasize the film’s key message: one can feel so alone in their community and circle of family and friends, only to meet a stranger from a completely different world, and realize they are on the same wavelength, in the least expected way.

This would have never succeeded without the exceptional performances from their main and supporting cast. Jason Patel is brilliant, both as Aysha and Ashiq. It’s incredible that this is his film debut because he’s a natural in front of the camera; his energy and charm flow effortlessly, and you can’t take your eyes off him every time he’s on screen. A true scene stealer. Ben Hardy as Luke is equally brilliant. Despite Patel being the scene stealer, it’s not easy for Hardy to play an emotionally suppressed character who finally finds the courage to be vulnerable when he finds love. There’s no Aysha without Luke, and no Luke without Aysha. They create this contrasting presence that really sets the tone for the movie’s narrative. 

Unicorns is bold, romantic, colorful, and enjoyable from start to finish. But it has layers of depth underneath the surface. At its core, it’s a movie about the courage it takes to become our truth, disregarding any labels in the process.

Unicorns is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Cohen Media Group.