The comedy horror was filmed in Hungary, where picturesque and untouched locations were found to convey the fairy-tale atmosphere of the forest. The key filming location was the town of Siófok, where the estate used in the film as the residence of eccentric billionaire Dell Leopold is actually located. Another striking location was Lake Balaton — the largest lake in Central Europe, surrounded by hills, vineyards, and small settlements. This area, with its dense forests and calm waters, served as an ideal backdrop for the events unfolding in the film, combining elements of black comedy and horror. Choosing Hungary as the primary filming country allowed for the creation of a visually rich world where a mythical creature confronts modern realities, while also optimizing the film's budget.

Filming Locations:

Residence of Billionaire Dell Leopold

In the Movie

Scene where Elliot and his daughter Ridley arrive at the residence of his boss. Elliot, a single father, and his teenage daughter Ridley go for a weekend visit to Elliot's boss, eccentric billionaire Dell Leopold, and his family. On the way, the unexpected happens — they hit a unicorn, and Elliot decides to take the body with them. Arriving at the Leopold estate, they show their find to the hosts. Dell Leopold, head of a major pharmaceutical company, immediately takes an interest in the body of the mythical creature: he sends the unicorn to a laboratory for research, hoping to profit from its unusual properties.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a real estate located in the town of Siófok, Hungary. Siófok, with its picturesque surroundings, forests, hills, and proximity to the lake, served as an ideal backdrop for the events in the film, where characters encounter a mythical forest creature. Siófok is famous for its natural riches, surrounded by greenery of forests and parks. In 1997, it even received a gold award among European cities for landscape design.

Road to the Residence

In the Movie

Scene where Elliot and his daughter Ridley drive along a scenic road. Elliot and his teenage daughter Ridley head for a weekend at the country house of Elliot's boss, Dell Leopold. The path to the billionaire's estate runs through a dense, green forest. Trees stand in a solid wall on both sides of the road, surrounded by forested mountains. On the left side, a panoramic view opens up to a beautiful turquoise lake. Along the way in this picturesque area, Elliot accidentally hits a unicorn. Realizing they have hit a fantastic forest creature, he and his daughter decide to take the unicorn's body with them and bring it to the Leopold estate.

In Reality

The scene was filmed near Lake Balaton in Hungary. This is the largest lake in Hungary and Central Europe, known as the "Hungarian Sea" due to its size and significance. It stretches 79 kilometers. It is famous for its clear turquoise water, rich in iodine, and a special microclimate that attracts tourists and locals. Around the lake, dense forests, hills, and vineyards create an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony with nature. This picturesque seclusion and untouched natural beauty made Balaton an ideal backdrop for filming, where a beautiful and remote place away from the city bustle was needed, in whose forests such a magical creature as a unicorn could well dwell.