Directed By: Casper Kelly
Written By: Casper Kelly and Jamie King
Cinematography: Zach Kuperstein
Editor: Josh Ethier
Cast: Delaney Quinn, Caleb Williams, Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Patton Oswalt, Michael Shannon, Clint Howard
A brave girl and her friends must escape a kids television show.
There are some movies where the less you know going in, the better. BUDDY is definitely one of them.
This is a film that can be ambiguous and awkward, but always feels just a bit off and creepy. Yet somewhat comfortable
If you’re familiar with writer-director Casper Kelly’s short for ADULT SWIM, TOO MANY COOKS you may already have an idea of the kind of strange, unsettling sense of humor he brings to the table. That short took something as harmless and familiar as television opening themes and slowly revealed something much darker bubbling underneath. This film plays with that same idea of innocence turning increasingly… well, not so innocent. And this film is definitely out there.
The first fifteen minutes might test your patience or your willingness to go along with it. As we’re introduced to what appears to be an actual children’s television show. Episode after episode, everything seems cute, cheerful and perfectly harmless. Then, almost imperceptibly, things begin to feel a little wrong. And then a little more wrong. Before long, you realize you’re not watching the movie you thought you were watching.
I won’t say much more, because discovering where BUDDY goes is part of the fun. The film has an unusual way of withholding information, and by the time it reaches the end, it leaves you with more questions than answers. Normally that might frustrate me, but here I found myself wanting to know more.
That’s probably the nicest thing I can say about the film: I wanted more.
The recognizable adult cast is used barely, with the kids essentially carrying the movie. And despite the innocent looking premise, this is absolutely not a movie for children. There is some disturbing violence involving kids that will understandably be difficult for some viewers.
But what makes the film refreshing is that it never seems particularly interested in giving you exactly what you expect.
This isn’t your typical horror movie. In fact, some people may find that disappointing. There are moments when you expect the film to push things further, only for it to pull back and leave you wondering what exactly you just watched.
Personally, I appreciated that restraint.
BUDDY is disturbing, strange and occasionally bizarre, but there’s something wonderfully curious about it. It feels like a movie that wants you to think about it afterward rather than simply move on to the next thing.
Is it for everybody? Absolutely not, But maybe that’s part of why I liked it.
There’s something to be said for a movie that doesn’t completely explain itself, doesn’t follow the usual rules and leaves you just curious enough to want to step back into its world.
So if you’re looking for something familiar, predictable and comfortably within the lines, this probably isn’t your movie. But if you’re willing to take a chance on something weird? Give it a try.
No matter what, I have a feeling you’ll remember it.
Grade: B+
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