Buddy

If you like puppets, practical effects, and grotesque horror that is disguised as something cutesy, then *Buddy* is a must-see. As a horror film, it’s surprising because it feels fresh and original with not only its comedic roots and psychological elements but also because it thrusts the audience into a bloodthirsty wonderland ruled by a demented orange unicorn eager to twist your head off. https://bit.ly/ItsBuddy

Buddy (2026) starts like a fake children's show—giving major Don't Hug Me I'm Scared and Amanda the Adventurer game vibes—before going off the rails. After showing fake Barney-style episodes, it abruptly shifts to a real-world family. The mom realizes something is wrong after her daughter gets dragged into Buddy’s dimension. The mid-movie dimension hopping between mom's real-world investigation and the weird realm felt unnecessary and like a totally different film, but once mom enters Buddy's world, it gets good again. Unique plot for sure! It has solid body horror, though it honestly…

Buddy feels like a deranged children’s show discovered on a cursed VHS tape: loud, colorful, impressively handmade, and increasingly hostile to its audience. The puppetry, sets, and practical effects are the main attraction, and Casper Kelly commits so completely to the nightmare logic that even the weaker jokes have a fascinating texture. Unfortunately, what works brilliantly as a sketch strains at feature length. The film keeps escalating without finding enough emotional or comedic variety, so the shock of its premise gradually becomes repetition. Cristin Milioti and the cast sell the…