When trying to explain Buddy, the easiest way to say it is to compare it to It: Part I or even the campy-yet-dark season 1 of CW cult classic, Riverdale. Buddy is about a unicorn who is the lead of a 1990’s sitcom and the kids on the show who have no idea how (or when) they got there. The musical segments on the show are quite charming. As is the message: “You’ve got to be scared to be brave”. That is a life lesson in and of itself. Dark comedies like this film rarely hit. So was this one a unique exception?
Quick little sidebar before we really dive into things – was that really Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Buddy? I had no idea until doing my research after the movie. How cool. He does a fantastic job of mixing the child-like nature of Buddy with the demon that seems to live inside of him.
The film starts out on set of the It’s Buddy show from the 90’s, where we see a perfectly peaceful utopia of three adults (Buddy, a rabbit, and a mailman) and the kids who star in the show. Sort of feels like an environment as safe, and kid-friendly, as Blue’s Clues. Nothing to see here, right? Or so you would think. Buddy invites the kids to his dance party that will take place later that day. One of the kids who is little more than a cameo is included on the invite list. Only he does not want to go. He, while sitting on a swing set with a book, says he would prefer reading to dancing. Buddy will not take no for an answer. Without spoiling anything, the book the young boy is reading ends up covered in blood and thrown in the trash – our call to action. A bit dark for a kids show, if you ask me.
One really big plus this film has in its first 30 minutes is just how well they utilized the cameras to feel like we were on set of an actual show. From the shot composition to the transitions from one camera angle to the other where there is a heart in the middle of the screen. The technical side of the movie crew’s work is nothing to be scoffed at. The crew deserves flowers for their hard work and creativity. But almost no movie is great when it is only just technical sound. How is the story, you are wondering?
Buddy does a great job of telling us the story from the point of view of the children that are in Buddy’s park. Even normally inanimate objects like backpacks, mailboxes, and trains have their part to play. Though in some ways, the backpack (named Strappy) and company aren’t just there for humor, they actually serve the story and become important members of the plot. As even they are scared of Buddy. I must say, the musical and dance numbers in this film nails that dark comedy formula. The kids are very talented. In fact, I would not be the least bit surprised if this film launches at least a few careers. Though, even if it doesn’t, it will not be from a lack of talent on the youngsters’ end.
If it sounds like I really adore this movie from an acting and especially screenwriting perspective, it is because I absolutely do. But there is one part of the story I have mixed feelings on. It involves two actors I love, Cristin Milioti (who has been around for many years, both on screen and on Broadway) and That 70’s Show fan favorite, Topher Grace. They come on screen about 30 minutes into the movie. Which, to me, feels about 10-15 minutes too late. Sure, the first half hour does a flawless job of setting up the dominos before knocking them down in the late second to third acts. However, there is so much unneeded plot with the two of their characters that it felt like what could have been 7 minutes with them turns into double that.
Despite it being a small knock, I think there will be other people who will either agree or at least entertain the notion that this 90 minute film could have been even shorter and still pack the same punch. This tonal shift 30 minutes in really kills the momentum and suspense that was earned by the filmmakers behind Buddy. It just seemed like introducing Milioti’s and Grace’s characters sooner than what we got would have led to less confusion on my end. By the end of the film, their roles are clear and it was necessary to have them in at least some of the movie. I would still argue they should have came on screen sooner rather than later and not interrupt the flow that was going on. I mean, by the end of the movie, we are still left questioning what exactly we were watching the whole time. So, wouldn’t that mean that the creatives behind this movie realized that less is more? I believe they knew this, but possibly could not justify an 80 minute movie instead of a 90 minute one. Perhaps someone out there will love this movie enough to recut it and leave in only the parts from Milioti and Grace that were needed. I would definitely be down to watch that cut.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Normally when we talk about something being odd and completely out of left field, it sounds like a bad thing. When it comes to 2026’s newest horror flick, Buddy, the one-of-a-kind story is quite charming. Even after all these years of cinema, there is still new ground to be explored in the horror genre. The tone this movie goes for is an enormous risk. Luckily, relatively unknown director/screenwriter, Casper Kelly knows almost exactly what he is doing. The ending and portions with Grace and her husband are the only two knocks I have on the film. Otherwise, I’d say this is a must watch. The cast is all very talented, the script was creative, and it is quite a fun movie.
