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.

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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 could’ve used WAY more gore for a mascot slasher!

The ending is pure gold: a 50/50 mix of wholesome "Aww happy ending!" and "Wow, well that shit SUCKS for you!" 😂

Verdict: Confusing mid-movie shift aside, Buddy is a hilariously tragic, dark, nostalgic horror trip.

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 panic, while the songs are obnoxiously catchy in exactly the right way. I admired how unapologetically strange it is more than I actually enjoyed it. A memorable orange menace trapped inside a movie that needed a sharper edit—and yes, the end-credits song absolutely rules.