The reviews lean mildly positive on Buddy, with praise clustering around its recreation of cheerful children’s television and the nastiness beneath it. Critics repeatedly admire the retro production design, while Keegan-Michael Key’s voice performance draws particular approval. Several also find warmth beneath the gore: affection for the children gives the nostalgia more purpose than simply turning a familiar mascot murderous. The combination of absurd comedy and horror works for its supporters, though enthusiasm is far from uniform.
The main divide is over how long the premise remains funny or frightening. The Guardian finds a single joke stretched beyond its usefulness, whereas Collider argues that the film finishes before that joke wears thin. Elsewhere, reservations centre on uneven pacing, scattered satire and dramatic material that jars with the silliness. Even some favourable reviews question its thematic depth. The spread is wide, with the same premise producing both delighted approval and outright boredom.