A disturbing new horror film about a psychotic child mascot has reportedly angered some parents, who accidentally took their children along to watch it.
Loosely inspired by the classic children’s series Barney, Buddy follows a group of children trapped in a 1990s children’s television show hosted by a giant orange unicorn named Buddy.
When the preschoolers discover that the seemingly cheerful mascot is actually an evil monster that kidnaps and kills children, they must try to escape before they become Buddy’s next victims.
The official poster for the surreal horror comedy simply shows the glowing orange unicorn staring out from a stationary TV screen, making it difficult to tell what kind of movie it is.
According to reports on social media and Reddit, parents have been spotted taking their children to see the R-rated film after mistaking it for family-friendly fare.
“Saw a lot of kids in my room last night, some under the age of 8,” a theater employee wrote on Reddit.
Parents are reportedly taking their young children to see the twisted horror film Buddy, which follows a cuddly orange unicorn who kidnaps and kills children
Loosely inspired by the classic children’s series Barney, Buddy follows a group of children trapped in a 1990s children’s television show featuring a murderous unicorn.
“There were so many kids on my show for buddy. What the hell is that about!’ added a second.
A third employee wrote: ‘I saw a mother complaining that it was the theater’s fault when it definitely wasn’t. Parents need to do their research.”
“It’s amazing how many people take their kids to the movies without doing an ounce of research beforehand,” wrote another.
“Buddy isn’t Five Nights at Freddy’s – your kids won’t be friends with the scary unicorn,” another added.
Despite the controversy and relatively low budget, Buddy appears to be the next big horror hit of 2026.
The film opened last weekend with $5.36 million, more than doubling its early box office projections.
“It takes a big risk, and we felt like that risk could be exactly what makes the movie work,” Roadside Attractions head and co-founder Howard Cohen said. IndieWire.
‘It was mainly about the risk of the content, the extreme originality, the provocative structure and its themes.’
“I saw a lot of kids in my audience last night, some under the age of 8,” a theater worker wrote on Reddit
Buddy has already received rave reviews from critics, although some are disturbed and confused by the surreal horror film
Buddy is spotted holding an ax with writer and director Casper Kelly at a screening in Los Angeles
Buddy will now open in even more theaters this weekend to capitalize on its unexpected performance at the box office.
It stars Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace and Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Buddy, and is written and directed by Casper Kelly.
It has already received rave reviews from critics, with the New York Post writing: ‘A horror comedy that takes a scalpel – or rather, multiple weapons – to its cheerful protagonist, as he revels in his darkly twisted mind.’
IndieWire wrote, “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find something that feels fresh enough to be truly shocking and executed competently enough to transcend its gimmicks, and we should all celebrate when we find one.”
Buddy is the latest in a growing number of surprise horror hits at the box office this year.
Curry Barker’s Obsession is the biggest of the bunch, raking in a staggering $505 million from a $1 million budget.
Backrooms was another success, bringing in $395 million.
Other horror hits include Scream 7, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, Insidious: Out of the Further and Send Help.
