Good Boy Review: A Handmade Horror Film That’s A Tension-Filled, Yet Earnest Tribute To Man’s Best Friend

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Good Boy

Release Date: October 3, 2025
Directed By: Ben Leonberg
Written By: Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg
Starring: Indy the Dog, Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden
Rating: PG-13 for frightening scenes, blood and strong language
Runtime: 73 minutes

It’s common for many of us to have animals in our homes or the homes of loved ones throughout our lives. Dogs, especially, often feel like partners in a mutually beneficial relationship: we offer them a safe and happy life, and in return, we receive unwavering love, protection, and a loyal companion. Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy thoughtfully examines this connection, presenting it within a horror movie framework. What’s unique is that the film centers on a dog as the protagonist – remarkably, this appears to be a first for cinema, and it’s done very well.

The idea of a horror movie entirely from a dog’s perspective feels like something that had to have been tried before, and it seemed like a difficult concept to pull off successfully on the first attempt. But Good Boy manages to deliver, and actually benefits from being a low-budget, independent film. It directly tackles the question: “What if a dog witnessed the ghosts in a haunted house, instead of the people?” This often-sad cinematic experiment reveals a strangely unsettling, yet heartwarming look at the bond between a dog and its owner.

Good Boy centers on a truly impressive performance by the director’s dog.

Just to emphasize: Good Boy is truly an independent film. Ben Leonberg, who wrote and directed the movie, also served as its cinematographer and producer. He even cast his own dog, a wonderfully cute Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Indy. For three years, he and his wife lived on the movie set to capture the most genuine performance from his dog, who wasn’t a professional actor. And it was worth the effort! Indy delivers a unique performance that’s seldom seen from animal actors.

Good Boy begins with Indy – who is also the dog’s name in the movie – and his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), arriving at a spooky, remote house. Todd intends to stay there alone to cope with some significant health problems. The story unfolds almost entirely within the house, and Indy starts to sense strange, supernatural events. What makes this film different is that Indy can’t communicate for help. The dog’s inability to get assistance creates a feeling of helplessness throughout the movie as he deals with the unsettling atmosphere of their new home.

Indy has a significant task in conveying the film’s emotional weight, and it’s impressive considering he’s a dog – a real dog, not one that talks or is created with CGI. Despite very little dialogue, you genuinely connect with his feelings throughout the movie.

Good Boy is a great film for filmmakers or film students to analyze, especially when discussing how important technical aspects are to a movie. Despite a small budget, the film’s visuals, sound, and editing really enhance the viewing experience. However, if you prefer complex stories with lots of background details, this movie might not appeal to you. It’s a film focused on exploring a central idea.

The horror movie keeps the perspective on Indy the whole time, and with that comes some inherent narrative limits.

Good Boy is shot from Indy’s point of view, using many low-angle shots that often hide Todd’s face and feelings. This creates a distinctive way of watching the film, mirroring how a dog might see the world – with a limited understanding of what’s going on. While this style does have some storytelling challenges, it’s also the reason the movie is only 73 minutes long. The filmmakers wanted to keep things simple and impactful (and with a bit of a playful nod to the dog theme!).

The dialogue, particularly in phone conversations between Todd and his sister Vera, can feel a bit rough around the edges. At times, it seems like the focus was more on nailing the correct viewpoint than on crafting naturally flowing storytelling, which creates some lulls during the suspenseful moments. However, the final act manages to smooth out many of these issues in the script.

The terrors in Good Boy may not be completely fleshed out, but the emotion behind the movie makes up for this.

Watching this movie really gave me a nostalgic feeling – the visuals reminded me a lot of Poltergeist, especially because the house looked like it hadn’t been updated in ages. I thought the filmmakers made some really clever choices with how things *looked*, and Ben Leonberg did an amazing job with the lighting as Indy cautiously explored the haunted house – it really added to the creepiness. As the story unfolded, we slowly started to understand what Indy and Todd were dealing with… but you have to remember this is an indie film, so the VFX aren’t going to be blockbuster-level. What I really loved about Good Boy’s story was how fresh and symbolic it felt. The story is pretty open-ended, which let me really connect with it on a personal level, and if you’ve ever had a pet that meant a lot to you, you’ll definitely feel the emotional impact of the final act.

Good Boy is a low-budget, independent film. It’s not the right choice if you want constant frights and a complex storyline. However, if you enjoy contemporary horror that focuses on creating a creepy mood and trying new things with a meaningful message, this is a film you’ll remember and one that will make you appreciate your pets even more.

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2025-10-01 01:09