Buddy Review: A High-Concept Horror That Fails to Deliver
Before audiences get to see Ayo Edebiri and Daniel Kaluuya's long-awaited A24 Barney movie, which has languished in development for seven years, Sundance 2026 presents Buddy. This horror comedy attempts to explore a chilling premise: what if a beloved children's television character turned murderous? Unfortunately, writer-director Casper Kelly's feature debut feels like a one-joke concept stretched painfully thin across 95 minutes, lacking both genuine scares and consistent laughs.
Nostalgic Setup with Sinister Undertones
The film throws viewers directly into the brightly coloured world of a 1990s-style children's television programme, complete with lessons, singing, and exaggerated pronunciation. The show's star is Buddy, an orange unicorn voiced by Keegan Michael-Key, whose relentless enthusiasm begins to feel increasingly aggressive. The familiar formula takes a dark turn when Buddy's playful suggestions escalate into something far more sinister, raising the unsettling question: is this furry friend actually a threat?
Stylistically, the film successfully recreates the aesthetic of vintage children's programming, reminiscent of 2024's superior Sundance entry I Saw the TV Glow. However, where that film explored deeper themes, Buddy struggles to move beyond its initial premise. The concept of a malevolent force invading a wholesome space shows promise but quickly reveals its limitations as a feature-length narrative.
Unfulfilled Horror Potential
Kelly, whose background lies primarily in Adult Swim programming, attempts to position Buddy as a new horror icon, building an elaborate universe around the character's disturbing influence. The film even features Buddy making an appearance at the midnight premiere, suggesting ambitions for franchise potential. Yet the execution falls dramatically short of these aspirations.
The central gimmick—a cheerful children's character committing violent acts while maintaining a sunny disposition—loses its novelty within the first act. Buddy's murders, which include stabbing and decapitation, feel surprisingly tame and uninventive. Even when the character undergoes a transformation in the finale, the results lack the visceral impact needed to frighten anyone beyond very young children.
Structural Flaws and Character Issues
The narrative unfolds through episodic segments within the television show, following children who gradually realise Buddy is eliminating those around them. Led by Delaney Quinn, these young characters attempt to use limited resources to survive. Simultaneously, the film introduces a real-world storyline featuring Cristin Milioti as a confused parent who believes she has a daughter nobody else remembers—a plot device reminiscent of Julianne Moore's role in The Forgotten.
Milioti brings experience from similar genre-bending work in Black Mirror's standout episode USS Callister, but here she's hampered by material that lacks Charlie Brooker's sophisticated world-building. As Kelly attempts to merge the two realities, he imposes emotional weight onto a premise too inherently silly to support it. The child actors, while accurately portraying Nickelodeon-style performances, become progressively grating rather than compelling.
Missed Opportunities and Final Verdict
With most of the action confined to a nauseatingly artificial studio set—complete with a backpack voiced by Patton Oswalt—the film struggles to establish genuine stakes or character investment. Occasional flashes of more outrageous content, such as a scene where Buddy with burning flesh assaults a nurse, hint at a more gonzo approach that might have served the material better. Instead, the film remains oddly restrained, never fully committing to either horror or comedy.
Sundance has historically launched breakthrough horror films like Get Out, Hereditary, and The Babadook, but Buddy will not join that prestigious list. The film ultimately feels like an extended sketch that would have worked far better as a short subject. While the concept of a murderous children's entertainer remains inherently disturbing, this execution proves that Barney the dinosaur retains far more terrifying potential in the cultural imagination. Buddy is currently screening at the Sundance Film Festival while seeking distribution.
