Buddy is a comedy-horror film from Casper Kelly, creator of Too Many Cooks, that turns the cheerful conventions of children’s television into an increasingly unsettling mystery. The review finds it effective as a puzzle-box story, using the disappearance of children from the world of a singing orange unicorn to explore darker shifts in reality, though it suggests the satire may not ultimately develop a deeper point.

Keegan-Michael Key voices Buddy, whose colourful programme includes talking objects and lessons for children who obey him. The film is praised for its production design, cinematography, puppetry and child performances, particularly Delaney Quinn as Freddy, while Cristin Milioti and voice actors including Patton Oswalt, Michael Shannon and Eric Bauza provide strong support. It is Kelly’s largest production to date, expanding on the horror-comedy approach seen in his Adult Swim work.