“Kids! It’s okay! I’m not mad! Everybody needs to calm down!”
Story: In 1999, Buddy the unicorn is a popular kid’s show. The character that lives in a world filled with kids and anthropomorphic things. But when one of the kids isn’t as joyful as the rest? Buddy has a lot to say. And do. Buddy, put down the knife…
Scares: A building sense of dread.
Splat Factor: Lots of bloody violence and death.
Subgenre: Children’s Show Horrors
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original.
Trick or Treat?: Buddy is a strange mash-up of shows like Barney, The Twilight Zone‘s “It’s a Good Life”, and Adult Swim. Not everyone will get on the Buddy train, and not everybody should. (Looking at you, elementary school kiddos.) But for grown-up folks who are ready for something bizarre? This is definitely what Nurse Nancy – er, Nurse Grace now – ordered!
A great cast that balances horror with family drama and children’s entertainment makes Buddy truly succeed. Topher Grace and Cristin Milioti play parents whose child Freddy inadvertently get pulled into Buddy’s world. The voices of Michael Shannon and Patton Oswalt as items in Buddy’s show, as well as Keegan-Michael Key as the slowly unraveling Buddy add to the satirical humor. The line between wholesome kids fun and unsettling dread and begins to blur. But gotta admit Clint Howard as a former kid from the show steals the show when he’s onscreen.
The costuming of Buddy the unicorn changes from a happy childhood character to one who’s burned, ribs showing. And that’s just the start. The dissonance between the comforting colors of the TV show and Buddy’s violence make this film feel like a fever dream. The art and set direction is fantastic, combined with costuming that creates a believable children’s television world. The climax shows Buddy’s crazy final form, equal parts My Little Pony and Hellraiser.
Apparently there were some adults who took their kids to see this movie, going purely on the movie poster. Even though the film is rated R on the poster, and trailers showcased the horror elements. I’m sure those car rides home were interesting. Especially as there’s a definite thread of SA between Buddy and Nurse [Insert Name Here]. Not to mention the drug use (inadvertent by the kiddos) and of the all that child murder. So keep this one to the “You Must Be This High To Ride This Ride” folks.
Maybe Buddy the unicorn shouldn’t be your friend. But Buddy could be a great way to add something wild to your Halloween movie lineup.
Score: 4 out of 5 pumpkins.
