Release of Casper Kelly film Buddy

Director Casper Kelly is set to release the film ‘Buddy’ in theaters on August 28, 2026. The project is a stylistic homage to early 1990s children’s television, centered on a bright orange unicorn that promotes happiness through song and dance.

Co-written with Jamie King, the film functions as a dark and absurdist horror parody. The narrative follows a character named Freddy, played by Delaney Quinn, who notices unsettling discrepancies within the show’s reality. In the film, cast members who attempt to assert autonomy or question the program face violent consequences, such as murder or disappearance. The story eventually shifts to the real world, following a woman named Grace who experiences unsettling connections to the mysterious program.

As Kelly’s feature directorial debut, the film utilizes a grainy VHS aesthetic to replicate the era of shows like ‘Barney & Friends’. The titular character, Buddy, is physically played by Sergey Zhuravsky and voiced by Keegan-Michael Key. Buddy is described as a sociopathic figure who uses exaggerated friendliness to maintain control over his young cast. The film explores themes of autonomy and the subliminal power of television imagery, transitioning from cringe comedy to absurdist horror as characters realize the sinister reality behind the show’s forced positivity.