Sony Pictures Buys 'Buddy', Film That Turned Barney Into a Horror Story

Who hasn't seen a colorful movie poster with a cute little animal and thought that the film was for children? It was precisely this confusion that helped Buddy, a horror film about a friendly (at first glance) – and terrifying – orange unicorn, become a hot topic in the United States. Now, the film has gained some new information: according to Deadline, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has acquired the international rights to the production in a deal estimated to be worth seven figures. Other studios were also in the running. The film marks the directorial debut of Casper Kelly, known for Too Many Cooks.

The confusion in theaters arose because Buddy relies on an aesthetic reminiscent of 1990s children's programs, especially Barney, but it's far from being a family-friendly production. The story takes place behind the scenes of a fake TV show inhabited by a giant orange unicorn named Buddy, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key.

In the show, children sing and pretend to live in a perfect world. However, when one of them decides to leave and disobeys the rules, the fantasy crumbles, revealing that Buddy is a violent and psychotic entity that brutally hunts them.

Rated R in the United States, the film ended up confusing parents, who took their children to screenings without checking the rating and left the theaters in a hurry upon realizing the horror content – ​​some even reportedly requested refunds. Children cried and panicked. The case ended up serving as a curious reminder that colorful posters and cute characters don't replace checking the age rating.

Despite the controversy, Buddy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. The film was also a commercial success: it grossed approximately $26.5 million in the United States, against a budget of approximately $5 million, and received good reviews from critics.