BUDDY (2026) REVIEW
Joshua Lightfoot
9/2/26
95 minutes
I came across a tweet a few days ago from a well-respected Film Critic who caught Buddy at Sundance back in January. I won’t mention this critic by name, but his tweet reads “I saw Buddy at Sundance and was not a fan. ... Easily one of the worst films I’ve seen this year.” Dang man, that’s harsh. Up there with Return to Silent Hill, Scream 7, or even Renny Harlin’s The Strangers: Chapter 3? Me however, I’m not well-respected, I’m only a Film Critic in my own head, and probably only 2 people are going to read this review. Those are a few things I share in common with one friend who happened to attend the same Sundance screening. He gave Buddy his highest recommendation and simply told me to “Go see it!”. Hearing that was more than enough for me to go into this one blind.
I can best describe Buddy as a combination of children’s television programs from the 90’s. It’s Barney & Friends (1992), mixed in with a hint of Teletubbies (1997), and sprinkled in with bits of Blues Clues (1996). Heck, I’d even throw in Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (1986) for good measure. But looming over these shows, ready to ruin everybody’s day is somewhat of a cross between Willy’s Wonderland (2021) and Peter Jackson’s Meet the Feebles (1989). The show is called “It’s Buddy”. It’s sequence of events are presented in the style of a TV show, complete with opening and closing credits. After one episode ends, another one begins. But ‘It’s Buddy’ is a slow burn, with the show starting pretty straight forward before progressing more and more into a twisted nightmare.
The world of the ‘It’s Buddy’ TV show is quite on the nose when compared to what it’s mimicking. From the vibrant colored houses, fake plastic grass, and foamy flowers with happy faces on them all the way to the Standard Definition image quality and 4:3 Aspect Ratio. If this show aired as it is back in the 90’s, absolutely nobody would question it. It really is that visually accurate. Its colorful characters are made up of adults wearing suits (or so it appears), and the host is named Buddy (of course). Buddy is a bright orange unicorn who begins each episode as a stuffed plush toy before blowing up and coming to life whenever someone says his name out loud. He starts out innocent enough before revealing manipulative and narcissistic-like behavior before bursting out in a violent rage.
We are also introduced to Buddy’s friend and sidekick Betty Bunny, a cheery pink mascot-like rabbit who is always ready to play and participate in activities. There is also the anthropomorphic choo-choo train named Charlie, Mr. Mailbox, Strappy the backpack, Trashy, Couchy, the Worry Well, and Willie the Ventriloquist Doll. Child actors sing and dance with bright grins, positive energy, and overly joyful tones in their voices. The child actors are all very good here and understand their assignment quite well. Especially the leader of the pack, Freddy, who is played by Delaney Quinn. I also must mention the human supporting characters Nurse Nancy and Mailman Miles. There is more than enough material here to have done a serious children’s programming 13-episode TV series.
Like Barney & Friends, each episode has a theme or a life lesson. The plot begins with a dance party where all the magical characters and children are more than enthusiastic to participate in. All except one child named Josh. Josh does not want to dance, even after Buddy presents him with magical dancing shoes. When Josh’s behavior continues to not be in line to Buddy’s liking, Josh disappears. It does not take long for the other children to suspect that Buddy had something to do with it. With Josh’s bloody book in hand as evidence, their concerns fall on deaf ears. The world of ‘It’s Buddy’ is a place where any negative energy is strictly prohibited. Any such emotion causes Buddy to grow increasingly frustrated and often turn deadly. This sparks a plan from the children to leave the ‘It’s Buddy’ set in search of Diamond City. This is something the deranged and psychopathic Buddy just cannot allow.
Buddy is directed by Casper Kelly, who's comedic horror sitcom short film Too Many Cooks went viral and gained massive popularity back in 2014. It’s easy to see the tonal similarities when making comparisons. Seeing characters in a TV show break free from the traditional writing algorithm surprisingly works well here. There is a complete abrupt halt in the story close to half-way through where we are introduced to new characters, a different story, and dealings with what is happening in the real world. This shift in the story is something that I could see being a problem for many. It is a bit jarring, but it all does circle back around to where the story started. I promise. I feel that it all adds to the unpredictable nature of what is already a bizarre concept to begin with.
OVERALL
I’m surprised by how well the premise of Buddy actually works. It’s oddly nostalgic while at the same time also feeling demented. A fun time for those who, like me, have an immature sense of humor. If that is your thing, then this is right up your alley. I’m reading that the production budget for Buddy was only $250,000. Impressive if true. Looks like yet another financial win for independent horror movies in 2026. Perhaps that Film Critic I mentioned watched a totally different Buddy. Is it possible he watched the 1996 film starring Rene Russo and Alan Cumming by mistake? I can most definitely believe that to be on a “worst of the year” list.
rating
***1/2 out of 5
