Feb 4, 2026 - Business

Meet Buddy, the killer unicorn that stole Sundance

Troy Smith

Orange unicorn mascot with a bandaged head holding a red axe stands in a misty forest surrounded by trees and colorful flowers. — Your not-so-friendly Buddy. Photo: Courtesy of Low Spark Films

One of the stars of last week's Sundance Film Festival was an orange, humanoid unicorn that once called Cleveland home.

State of play: "Buddy," a horror movie shot in Cleveland last summer, made its debut with a sold-out screening on the festival's opening night.

Cleveland-based Low Spark Films produced the movie, which centers on a bloodthirsty unicorn who traps children in his 1990s TV show.

The intrigue: "Buddy" was written and directed by Casper Kelly (of "Adult Swim" fame) and stars Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace.

To generate buzz, Low Spark brought the Buddy character to the festival, which was in its final year in Utah before its move to Boulder, Colorado.

What they're saying: "Buddy is a magnetic character," Tyler Davidson, president of Low Spark Films, tells Axios.

"He was walking down Park City's main street, surrounded by filmgoers."

The big picture: "Buddy" was one of two Sundance films shot in Northeast Ohio, along with the romantic drama "Carousel," starring Chris Pine and Jenny Slate.

Both have earned stellar reviews.

What's next: "Hopefully we'll be in a position to announce the film's next move," says Davidson.

"Everyone is feeling good about getting the movie out in front of people."

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Meet Buddy, the killer unicorn that stole Sundance

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