CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Could the shot-in-Cleveland “Buddy” become the next low-budget horror sensation a la “Obsession” or “Backrooms”? The first teaser trailer certainly raises the possibility.

The 40-second clip shows the cheerful opening sequence of a 1990s children’s television show intercut with quick shots of kids and a mom wearing expressions of dread. 

“Buddy,” which premiered nationally at Sundance in January and locally at the Cleveland International Film Festival in April, has been described as a subversive horror-comedy. It follows a Barney-like orange unicorn who snaps when one of the show’s child cast members refuses to play along.