"Buddy" Film Review

Before we dive in, here are three other Buddys that are a far better use of your time:

1. "Buddy" by Native Tongues

2. Buddy Holly

3. My Buddy, the iconic 1980s doll whose popularity plummeted (I imagine) the second Child’s Play hit theaters.

Buddy drops viewers directly onto the soundstage of a fictional, vintage children's TV show. Think Barney & Friends fused with the surreal talking-furniture aesthetic of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. As smiling children sing cheerful tunes about kindness and chore-time sanitation, Buddy—a giant, pastel unicorn voiced by Keegan-Michael Key—radiates an unsettling, simmering rage.

The veneer cracks during preparations for a dance party. A young boy named Josh refuses to join in, wanting nothing more than to quietly read his book. Buddy's passive-aggressive insistence swiftly devolves into manic agitation until Josh vanishes. Buddy assures the remaining kids that Josh simply skipped off to "Diamond City," but young Freddy grows suspicious after pulling Josh’s blood-soaked favorite book from the trash.

From there, both the film and its titular mascot spiral into unhinged madness. A bizarre, subplot abruptly hijacks the middle act, introducing a barrage of tonal whiplash. Whether due to disjointed direction or uneven performances, the emotional stakes evaporate, leaving nobody on screen genuinely worth rooting for.

Instead of earned dread or clever satire, the narrative leans heavily into shock value. Viewers are subjected to an intensely uncomfortable sequence involving Clint Howard and a marionette, following Buddy attempting to assault Nurse Grace.

Buddy will certainly hold your attention, but exclusively for all the wrong reasons. Skip this fever dream and stick to the 1980s synth tracks instead.

PS: Angel did it better

Verdict: 1.5 / 5 Stars