Good Boy – REVIEW

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I never quite got why people love dogs as pets. They’re definitely affectionate and loyal, but it feels like a lot of responsibility. You have to walk them twice a day, and that means dealing with… well, their waste. It’s not pleasant picking up after them, and people sometimes forget a bag, leading to an unpleasant surprise in their pocket. Or, even worse, they’ll tie the full bag to a tree branch in the park, turning it into a bizarre and unpleasant sight. But, I’m getting off topic. The dog in this story, though, is genuinely a good dog.

The film centers around Indy, a remarkably obedient dog, and his owner, Todd (only seen from the chest down). The story begins with Todd unconscious, discovered by his sister. After briefly staying in the hospital, Todd retreats to his late grandfather’s isolated house. The movie is primarily shown through Indy’s perspective, and he senses a supernatural presence in the house that Todd doesn’t initially recognize. This unique viewpoint immediately creates suspense, setting it apart from typical haunted house films. As Todd’s health deteriorates, he spends his time watching old VHS tapes of his grandfather’s woodworking projects. Unbeknownst to him, something is watching *him*, and Indy tirelessly tries to alert Todd to the danger they both face.

The idea of telling a ghost story through a dog’s eyes is simple, but director Ben Leonberg executes it remarkably well, creating a genuinely unsettling atmosphere. The tension steadily increases as Indy desperately tries to help Todd, and you really feel the growing sense of dread. It makes you wish for a dog like Lassie, who could always clearly communicate danger to his owner. Imagine if Lassie could say, ‘There’s an eight-year-old boy injured near an old well – he’s badly hurt and has diabetes, we need help!’ But Todd can’t understand Indy’s warnings, leaving the dog to try and save him on his own.

At just 75 minutes, the film gets off to a strong start, but the initially impactful and disturbing scenes begin to feel repetitive. While the ending doesn’t quite deliver on the promise, it’s a great showcase of director Leonberg’s talent and potential for future horror projects. The film also features an exceptionally expressive and endearing dog, Indy, who is arguably the most relatable canine performer we’ve seen in years.

Here’s the Good Boy trailer…..

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2025-10-08 02:23