Buddy Review: A tumultuous, terrific, terrifying take on Barney
I may not have been a 90s kid or grown up watching Barnie, but this movie still looked awesome, and I couldn't wait to check it out. I was supremely grateful that it did well at the box office! Not only because I always love it when indie movies get their flowers, but also because its success let the film run for almost three times the normal window and number of showtimes at my local theater. I always wish films striving for creativity or innovation would get the attention they deserve, even if they aren't my cup of tea. Did this film end up being a creative win, or an underwhelming flick? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be discussing in today's review. Thanks so much for joining me today, and I hope you enjoy your time on the site!
Let's start with the negatives. I've seen a few people say they disliked the cut to the mom's storyline, but I completely disagree. I actually found that part of the movie fascinating, and I even kind of wish her storyline had more time to pay off. A couple more scenes of her stepping up as a mom would be awesome. Cristin Milioti's performance is one of the best of this year, as someone who's watched hundreds of 2026 flicks. I also would've liked to see more from Wade, since he was honestly the most interesting for his time on screen, and killing off the best character (à la Phineus in Stay Alive) too commonly derails horror films. Thankfully, Hannah and Freddie were still plenty of fun.
My only other tiny gripes come through a couple of choices in the climax. One, the rapid-fire kills of three main characters leave too little breathing room for the tragedy to sink in. Two, the final note the film leaves off on wasn't my favorite. I think showing Freddie winning by going into the TV would be the more fitting resolution for this as a standalone, and the twist could come at the beginning of the sequel. Sometimes, quick, nihilistic final twists can be quite satisfying and elevate the film—like in Drag Me to Hell or The Invitation (2015)—but here, it felt like an unnecessary conclusion that didn't make much sense, unless it were a Part 1.
However, this film's negatives are vastly outweighed by its positives. As I alluded to earlier, the performances were fantastic here. All the child actors did a wonderful job here—yes, even Oliver's actor, Tristan Borders. He did a great job playing the stupid child here, even if his character was diabolically frustrating. Delaney Quinn is a great young actress, and I'm excited to see which other roles she gets in the future!
Madison Polan also does a great job playing the cute sidekick, Hannah, and was the epitome of childhood innocence and obliviousness. Keegan-Michael Key's voice performance as Buddy was legendary, and I'd love to see him do more unique roles like this within the horror space! Patton Oswald also delivers a whimsical performance as Strappy that I feel doesn't get quite as much credit as other performances. Overall, the cast depicted their roles with real intention, which is a major factor in the flick's tonal excellence.
Speaking of the tone, the vibes of this movie were impeccable. The tonal balance between the horror and the kids' show elements was perfectly calibrated. The production design is whimsical and fascinating, and sucks you into a world of kids' show wonder.
The costume design for Buddy and the friends is magnificent, especially when the more grotesque elements come into play with the scorched suit. The gore and kills are solid, nothing too groundbreaking or dark... but the elementary school teacher in me isn't complaining. I don't think seeing children elaborately torn apart is something I needed to witness anyway, so the basic tension deaths work well enough.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 91%
Letter Score: S
Star Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
Buddy is yet another creative paragon in the horror space. With unforgettable vibes, great performances, and a surprisingly meaningful story, Buddy isn't just a new take on a Barney story—it's more evidence that 2026 is an incredible year for horror.
Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some other thriller, comedy, and horror films? See them below!
Brighton Nelson
Brighton Nelson
Brighton NelsonEnjoy this review? Stay tuned for more articles from The Reel Ranker! Enjoy video games, music, or books? Check out our sister site, RPG Ranked, Mr. Maestro, and Brighton's Bookshelf, respectively!
