Cristin Milioti, fresh off her acclaimed performance as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin, is stepping into the horror genre for the first time. The Emmy-nominated actress has been cast as the lead in Buddy, a new horror film promising a fresh experience for genre fans.
According to Deadline, Milioti will star in Buddy, directed by Too Many Cooks creator Casper Kelly. The screenplay is co-written by Kelly and Jaime King (World’s Best), though full plot details remain under wraps. The filmmakers describe Buddy as a “new experience in horror,” and production is already underway.
The film is being produced by J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules for BoulderLight (Companion), alongside Tyler Davidson and Drew Sykes of Low Spark Films (Emily the Criminal). BoulderLight’s Vice President of Development and Production, Tracy Rosenblum, will serve as executive producer. The project is also being developed in association with Sipur Studios (Bad Boy) and Substance.
BoulderLight is continuing to expand its horror portfolio, recently announcing Amityville, a new take on The Amityville Horror. The company is also involved in Weapons, the next feature from Barbarian director Zach Cregger, which is scheduled for release on August 8, 2025.
Casper Kelly, best known for his surreal viral hit Too Many Cooks, brings a unique style to the project. His past credits include Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell, Stroker & Hoop, and Star Trek: Very Short Treks.
Milioti’s career has seen a steady rise, with The Penguin earning her widespread recognition for her portrayal of Sofia Falcone. She is also known for playing the titular mother in How I Met Your Mother and appeared in the critically acclaimed Black Mirror episode “USS Callister.” Her television work includes Made for Love and The Resort, while her film credits span titles such as The Wolf of Wall Street, Palm Springs, and It Had to Be You.
Though Buddy marks her official entry into horror, Milioti was previously in talks to star in A24’s upcoming sci-fi horror film The Backrooms, based on viral online videos. However, that deal did not materialize, and Renate Reinsve has since been cast in the role. The Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons, currently has no confirmed release date.
A release date for Buddy has not yet been announced.