The Buddy crew doing their thing (CREDIT: Roadside Attractions and Saban Films)

Starring: Delaney Quinn, Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti, Tristan Broders, Madison Skyy Polan, Caleb Williams, Luke Speakman, Tory Jacqui Malone, Topher Grace, Clint Howard, Seamus Flynn, Bryson JonSteele, Phuong Kubacki, Bennie Taylor, Conner Stumm, Patton Oswalt, Michael Shannon, Jimmica Collins, Devon Hawkes Ludlow, Eric Bauza, Rachel Appelbaum

Director: Casper Kelly

Running Time: 96 Minutes

Rating: R

Release Date: August 28, 2026 (Theaters)

I generally wouldn’t like to be trapped in a children’s TV show, such as the orange unicorn one in Buddy. Even a less murderous option doesn’t sound all that appealing. The major exception is of course when I’m dreaming. Then it’s the perfect situation. So it makes sense that I tend to love it when a movie’s setting suddenly switches to a different plane of reality, as there is a rather dream-like quality to that transition. I bring this up because an instance of that transition happens in Buddy, as the TV universe lurches to the “real world,” and we’re left to wonder how it’s all connected. Hopefully this means that I’ll start having dreams about Buddy in the not-too-distant future!

Grade: 333 Talking Mailboxes out of 555 Talking Backpacks