tech
January 23, 2026
Buddy review
Sundance film festival: there’s a dearth of both laughs and scares in this one-joke comedy horror that feels like it would have made for a better short film
TL;DR
- Buddy is a horror film inspired by the children's character Barney, aiming to create a new horror icon.
- The film's central gimmick of a murderous children's show character becomes repetitive and fails to sustain interest.
- Despite attempts at shocking moments, the kills are described as tame and uninventive.
- The movie struggles with its tone and audience, failing to establish clear stakes or emotional connection.
- The film's narrative merges two realities but lacks the depth and suspense of similar works.
- Buddy is screening at the Sundance film festival and is seeking distribution.
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