If you’ve ever watched a cheerful kids’ TV mascot and thought, “Something feels a little off,” then Buddy looks like it’s about to turn that uneasy feeling into a full-blown nightmare.
Director Casper Kelly (Too Many Cooks, V/H/S/Halloween) is bringing audiences another wonderfully warped horror experience with Buddy, and the newly released teaser trailer offers a creepy first look at what’s in store.
The film arrives in theaters on August 28 from Saban Films, and it looks like the kind of twisted horror comedy that takes a childhood comfort and turns it into nightmare fuel.
The movie revolves around Buddy, a lovable unicorn mascot and beloved children’s television host whose endlessly cheerful smile hides something far more sinister.
Think of the warm, comforting energy of Barney, then imagine that character snapping in the most violent way possible. That’s the unsettling vibe this movie is chasing, and the teaser leans into it perfectly.
The official synopsis reads: “Inside the colorful world of It’s Buddy!, a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.”
The cast is packed with fantastic talent. Cristin Milioti stars as Grace, a suburban mother who finds herself pulled into Buddy’s terrifying world. Delaney Quinn plays Freddy, a courageous young girl who begins pushing back after Buddy reveals his true nature.
Keegan-Michael Key lends his voice to Buddy, while Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt round out the impressive ensemble.
Kelly co-wrote Buddy alongside Jamie King (Jessica Jones), and he’s clearly excited that audiences will experience this one on the big screen.
“It’s an honor to be partnering with Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, two companies that have built reputations for championing bold films,” commented Kelly.
“The theatrical experience means so much to me personally, and I made Buddy to be experienced in a theater. I’m thrilled that audiences will get the chance to see the movie in theaters everywhere.”
Saban Films co-presidents Jonathan Saba and Shanan Becker are equally enthusiastic about what Kelly has created, saying:
“Casper Kelly is one of the most wildly inventive and audacious filmmakers working today, and Buddy is a testament to his singular genius. He possesses a rare aptitude for taking the wholesome nostalgia of our childhoods and flipping it into a brilliantly unhinged, laugh-out-loud nightmare.”
Early reactions suggest horror fans are in for something weird in all the best ways. Meagan Navarro wrote in her review:
“Casper Kelly drops viewers straight into the world of a kids’ show with a high-concept horror comedy that dials up the absurdities of kids’ television programming to a lethal degree.
“Those on board with an experimental structure and Kelly’s darkly playful sense of humor will find this raucous midnighter highly entertaining.”
The teaser doesn’t reveal too much, but it gives viewers just enough to understand that Buddy isn’t interested in playing it safe. It looks bizarre, funny, creepy, and completely unhinged, which is exactly what you’d expect from Kelly.
Check out the new teaser trailer and let us know if Buddy has earned a spot on your must-watch horror list.
