Buddy Review: A Cheerful Kids’ Show Turns Into a Bloody Nightmare

Content note: This film is rated R and contains graphic horror violence.

Remember those cheerful children’s shows from the 1980s and 1990s? Bright colors, singing kids, a smiling mascot, and a lesson about sharing. Now imagine that mascot wasn’t so friendly.

That’s the twisted idea behind Buddy, the first feature film from Casper Kelly. He’s the creator of the viral Adult Swim short Too Many Cooks. The film premiered at Sundance and became one of the year’s biggest independent horror hits. It’s now available to rent on digital platforms. Here’s our review.

Buddy Story: The Show That Won’t Let Anyone Leave

The movie takes place inside It’s Buddy!, a children’s TV show from 1999. The star is Buddy, a bright orange, humanoid unicorn with a purple heart on his chest. He lives in a wacky clubhouse and is supposed to spread happiness.

The kids on the show spend their days singing, dancing, and doing chores. They all repeat a cheerful jingle that tells everyone how much they love Buddy. It’s sweet at first. Then it starts to feel creepy.

Everything changes when one boy, Josh, says he doesn’t feel like playing along. Buddy doesn’t take it well. Josh vanishes, and the other kids begin to realize something is badly wrong. A girl named Freddy (Delaney Quinn) starts to suspect that Buddy isn’t a friend. He’s a tyrant.

The children try to escape. Their journey leads them through an enchanted forest toward a mythical place called Diamond City. Buddy, of course, won’t let them go easily.

Meanwhile, in the real world, a family is missing a child they can’t remember. Grace (Cristin Milioti) senses that someone is absent from her home, and her husband Ben (Topher Grace) doesn’t believe her. Slowly, her story and the kids’ story begin to connect.

From Too Many Cooks to Feature Film

Fans of Too Many Cooks will recognize Kelly’s style right away. That short spoofed old sitcom intros and grew darker the longer it ran. Buddy uses the same trick on a bigger canvas.

Kelly and his co-writer Jamie King clearly understand why old kids’ shows feel so odd. The forced smiles, the repeated songs, and the strange happiness all hide something uncanny. Buddy pulls that hidden layer to the surface.

The film also looks the part. It has 1990s TV grain, a vintage aspect ratio, and a vivid, believable set. It feels like a real show from decades ago, which makes the horror stronger.

Buddy Himself Is the Star

Buddy is a great monster because he’s both funny and scary. He speaks with a polite, helpful voice that sounds like a boss who loves his power. Keegan-Michael Key provides the voice, and Sergey Zhuravsky performs in the suit.

At first, Buddy seems goofy. Then his smile freezes, his temper rises, and he becomes more monstrous. The film uses his transformations for both comedy and terror.

The voice cast is stacked. Michael Shannon voices Charlie the Train, Patton Oswalt voices Strappy, and Clint Howard also lends his voice. Their work turns the show’s cheery sidekicks into disturbing pieces of the puzzle.

The Child Actors Deserve Praise

The kids carry much of the film. Quinn, Luke Speakman, Madison Polan, and the rest of the young cast do an excellent job. They have to play kids who must smile for a TV show while also feeling real fear.

That’s a tough balance, and they nail it. Their growing suspicion makes the scares more believable.

Milioti and Topher Grace add heart to the real-world storyline. Milioti makes Grace’s worry feel genuine, and the plot hints at a connection that stays eerie rather than cheap.

Gore, Laughs, and Gleeful Excess

Don’t be fooled by the colorful look. Buddy is a gory film. As the story goes on, the violence ramps up, and Buddy’s transformations get increasingly bloody.

The mix of humor and horror is what makes it fun. One moment you’ll laugh at an absurd jingle. The next you’ll wince at a gruesome injury. Kelly isn’t afraid to go too far, and that bold attitude fuels the film.

It also taps into childhood nostalgia in a clever way. If you grew up with shows like Barney & Friends, you may find it both hilarious and unsettling.

Where Buddy May Not Work for Everyone

This is a very specific kind of movie. The humor is dark, the gore is heavy, and the premise is absurd. If you don’t enjoy that mix, it may not click.

Some viewers might also want more depth in the real-world plot. The family story gives the film emotional weight, but it takes a back seat to the madness inside the TV show.

And as the violence escalates, a few scenes may feel over the top. That’s the point, but it may be too much for sensitive viewers.

Who Should Watch Buddy

This is a perfect pick for horror fans, comedy fans, and anyone who loves nostalgia with a dark twist. If you enjoyed Too Many Cooks, you’ll feel right at home. It’s also great for a group watch, since the jokes and shocks work well with an audience.

It’s not for kids, despite the colorful look. It’s rated R.

The Verdict

Buddy is a wild, fearless horror comedy with a lot of heart under the blood. It takes a silly idea and pushes it to a gory, imaginative extreme, and the risk pays off. If you like your horror weird and funny, don’t miss it.

Rating: 4/5

Watch the Trailer

Quick Facts

• Title: Buddy
• Director: Casper Kelly
• Writers: Casper Kelly, Jamie King
• Genre: Horror Comedy
• Runtime: 1h 35m
• Rated: R
• Starring: Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key (voice), Michael Shannon (voice), Patton Oswalt (voice), Clint Howard (voice)
• Distributors: Roadside Attractions and Saban Films
• Premiere: Sundance Film Festival 2026 (Midnight section)
• Theatrical release: Wide release Labor Day weekend, September 4, 2026
• Digital release: October 13, 2026
• Blu-ray and DVD: December 8, 2026

Where to Watch

Buddy is available to rent on digital platforms starting October 13, 2026. The Blu-ray and DVD arrive on December 8, 2026, and a VHS edition is planned for the holiday season.

Have you seen “Buddy”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.