Parents have reportedly been bringing young children to screenings of the new R-rated horror film "Buddy," leading to outrage among other moviegoers who say families are mistaking the film for child-friendly entertainment. The film, which features a murderous mascot loosely inspired by the children's show "Barney," has surprised audiences who expected a family-oriented movie.
Reports from theater employees shared on social media platforms like Reddit indicate that children, some as young as eight, have been present in "Buddy" showings. One theater employee wrote, "Saw a lot of kids in my auditorium last night, some younger than 8." Another commented, "There were so many kids in my showing for buddy. What the heck is that about!" A third employee noted, "I saw a mom complain that it was the theater's fault when it definitely wasn't. Parents should do their research."
The film's official poster depicts "Buddy," a cheerful orange unicorn, gazing from a staticy television screen, which some believe contributes to the confusion about its content. The surrealist horror-comedy follows a group of children trapped in a 1990s children's television show where the seemingly friendly mascot is revealed to be a malevolent monster who kidnaps and murders children.
Despite the controversy, "Buddy" has been a surprise box office success. The film opened with $5.36 million in its first weekend, more than doubling early projections. Roadside Attractions head and co-founder Howard Cohen told IndieWire that the film "takes a big risk, and we felt like that risk might be exactly what makes the movie work," citing its "extreme originality, provocative structure, and themes."
"Buddy" is scheduled to open in more theaters this weekend. The film stars Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace, and Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Buddy, and was written and directed by Casper Kelly. Critics have generally responded positively, with the New York Post describing it as "A horror-comedy that takes a scalpel—or, more accurately, several weapons—to its jaunty protagonist, all while reveling in his darkly disturbed spirit." IndieWire praised the film for feeling "fresh enough to be truly shocking and executed competently enough to transcend its gimmicks."
The film's success follows a trend of unexpected horror hits at the box office this year, including "Obsession," which grossed $505 million on a $1 million budget, and "Backrooms," which earned $395 million. Other notable horror releases this year include "Scream 7," "The Mummy," "Insidious: Out of the Further," and "Send Help."