Overview
- Major outlets published the official teaser on July 9, 2026, showing practical puppetry and flashes of disturbing imagery such as a bloody animatronic and other brief horror shots.
- Casper Kelly directed and co-wrote Buddy with Jamie King, and the studio synopsis frames the story around a cheerful children's-TV unicorn mascot whose pleasant facade breaks when a child refuses to play along.
- The film’s confirmed principal cast includes Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, Patton Oswalt, and Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Buddy.
- Roadside Attractions and Saban Films are handling U.S. theatrical distribution, but recent coverage lists different release dates—one report cites August 28, 2026, while another cites September 4, 2026—leaving timing unresolved until the distributors consolidate their calendar.
- Kelly’s work builds on his analog-horror and viral-viral-style reputation from projects like Too Many Cooks, and the teaser plus its Sundance Midnight screening suggest the film will target theatrical genre audiences and festival-driven marketing in the coming weeks.