In horror storytelling, the way audiences connect with a central character often determines whether the film resonates or falls flat. Some protagonists, like Ellen Ripley in Alien or Chris Washington in Get Out, inspire admiration, while others spark frustration or even disdain. What matters most is that the viewer feels something. Ben Leonberg’s supernatural horror Good Boy takes this principle and applies it to a most unexpected lead: a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever named Indy. This fresh perspective redefines the haunted house genre, offering equal measures of fear, empathy, and heart.
Story
Co-written by Leonberg and Alex Cannon, Good Boy is not to be confused with the 2022 Norwegian horror-comedy of the same name. Instead, this 2025 release immerses us in a chilling tale told almost entirely from the viewpoint of Indy the dog.
When Indy’s owner Todd (Shane Jensen), a recovering addict battling health complications, inherits his grandfather’s isolated woodland home, the move promises peace and solitude. But the house hides disturbing secrets. Despite Todd brushing off his sister Vera’s (Arielle Friedman) fears that their grandfather’s death may have been unnatural, Indy begins noticing unsettling occurrences—from spectral canine apparitions to sinister shadows. Determined to protect his human, the loyal pup becomes the first line of defense against a lurking evil that threatens to consume them both.
Performances
While human characters exist largely in the background—often obscured, blurred, or hidden by shadow—the spotlight firmly belongs to Indy. The decision to minimize human expressions and shoot frequently from a low, ground-level perspective ensures audiences experience the horror from a dog’s point of view. Although Indy is not a trained canine actor, his natural intensity, including what Leonberg describes as a “Shining-style thousand-yard stare,” imbues the film with an authenticity gimmicks could never achieve.
Behind the Scenes
Leonberg and producer Kari Fischer (who also step in as body doubles for Todd and Vera) crafted the film around their own pet Indy. Initially conceived as a quirky “what if” idea—what if the family dog was the only one aware the house was haunted?—the film evolved into a creative experiment in problem-solving. By reshaping the screenplay to fit Indy’s natural behavior, the filmmakers avoided forced performances and instead highlighted spontaneous, genuine reactions.
Visually, Good Boy pays homage to horror classics. Ominous shadows recall Nosferatu (1922), flickering televisions summon memories of Poltergeist (1982), and spectral dread nods to Carrie (1976) and The Sixth Sense (1999). Yet, despite its inspirations, Leonberg’s film achieves an identity all its own through unique framing and artistry.
Final Verdict
At just 73 minutes, Good Boy might have risked working better as a short film, but its tight pacing and inventive visuals keep audiences engaged throughout. While the backstory of the cursed house and grandfather’s mysterious habits may feel thin, the film thrives as both a loving tribute to canine loyalty and a fresh entry in supernatural horror. Audiences need not fear the heartbreak of an inevitable tragic ending—Indy survives to the final frame, reminding us of the unwavering empathy dogs bring to our lives.
Good Boy cements itself as one of the most imaginative horror releases of 2025. With its October 3 theatrical debut from IFC and Shudder, this canine-led ghost story is one horror fans—and dog lovers—won’t want to miss.
https://snooper-scope.in/good-boy-trailer-a-horror-flick-seen-solely-through-a-dogs-eyes/
