Buddy film explores horror-comedy through subversive mascot character

The 2026 horror-comedy film ‘Buddy’, directed by Casper Kelly, follows a cuddly orange unicorn who hosts a children’s television show but reveals a dark, demonic side when the cameras stop. The film utilizes a unique marketing campaign by Roadside Attractions that leveraged nostalgia to create a false sense of familiarity, making audiences believe the character was from a forgotten, cancelled TV show.

Co-writer Jamie King worked to balance Casper Kelly’s distinct comedy style with emotional depth, aiming to create a three-dimensional character that possesses both charisma and sadism. The narrative involves a trio of unicorns—Buddy, Bobby, and Benny—with the plot suggesting a dark backstory involving the disappearance or subjugation of the other characters within the show's universe.