Buddy

Social media erupted with the release of Buddy, a horror film under the guise of a children’s film. But there’s more to Buddy than whimsical music and happy, enthusiastic children. What lies beneath the cheery posture of a beloved unicorn?

Buddy a film about a much loved character similar to the 90s Barney phenomenon, centers on a unicorn who enjoys playing games with children, think of Pee Wee’s playhouse meets Barney. However, when the children refuse to play with Buddy, or offer him a rejection, Buddy’s kindness melts away, replaced by a sinister rage. One by one, the children learn that their favorite unicorn holds an extremely deadly side.

Whimsical Moments

The film opens with a cute theme song reminding viewers of a certain animated TV show from Disney, giving the audience that nostalgic 90s vibe. The cinematography feels like watching the show on an old VHS cassette (which the DVD generation may not connect with). This combination works in providing a strong sense of safety, masking the danger lurking within Buddy’s world. When the scenes become sinister, the camera shies away until the big reveal hits, which is unique for a horror film. The music matches more with a whimsical beat forcing the audience to ignore the dangers lurking.

The plot slowly unfolds with each child’s disappearance. Even the children on the show overlook the disappearance until it matters. This wraps the audience into the fold of the mystery behind Buddy. When the children realize the truth, some deny the possibility immediately. The film finally introduces the truth to the audience, stretching into an unexpected twist. What really works for Buddy is the lack of jump scares and the reliance on allowing the plot to provide the terror.

Dead Flop Moments

Unlike most horror films, the lingering effect of horror does not exist. The film’s plot is terrifying, but compared to films like The Ring, the audience leaves the theater more entertained than scared. The lack of jump scares may bore some horror lovers and for those looking for gory shots may also find Buddy plays a little safe, compared to Saw. Gory scenes that appear in the film are over-exaggerated and comical, which one can argue matches the theme of the film.

Overall Rating

I enjoyed the film more than I thought I would. After seeing the trailer, I knew I did not want to miss this film in the theater. I am disappointed it wasn’t “scary” but I love how the director wove in comedy with horror. The film offers more of a thought provoking moment more than scaring people. If Buddy had a strong hold on so many people, what does that say about our childhood? Did Barney have the same effect on children during his reign? What about Dan Schneider’s run on Nickelodeon? As children, we often overlook the dangers of the television characters we love. Viewing each of them as comfort and safe. Could the message behind Buddy support the idea not every childhood character is safe, or that the love we give these characters strengthens their hold over us?

Keeping the theme, the cinematography, and how the music played an important role in this film, I would rate Buddy 4/5. I love the child actors and they really carried the film, but personally, any child acting in a horror usually works for me. Children bring a different lens to horror than adults, and I’me always here for it. I also enjoy the trip back into the past with the visual representation of late 80s, early 90s children's TV shows. Both Gen X and Millennials may appreciate Buddy more than Gen Z because of it.

Rumor has it, the marketing team for Buddy created videos flooding social media about parents demanding a refund for subjecting their children to Buddy. Though this is not entirely confirmed, I think it’s a clever marketing strategy to promote the film, but that’s because I have a dark sense of humor.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.