Good Boy

Every so often, a horror film comes along that doesn't try to terrify you with monsters or mayhem, but instead unsettles you with quiet emotion and unexpected empathy. Good Boy is exactly that kind of film. Directed by Ben Leonberg in his feature debut, this haunting and deeply original story invites us into the world of the supernatural from the perspective of a dog. It's a strange pitch on paper, but on screen, it's something special, melancholy, eerie, and surprisingly profound.

If this film had been released in the mid-to-late '80s, it would've become an instant cult classic-the kind of VHS gem horror fans traded in secret, whispering about the "dog movie that made them cry." And that's not a knock against it. In fact, I kind of wish I could have experienced Good Boy through the eyes of my younger self-because beneath its unsettling quiet and spectral atmosphere lies a story about loyalty, loss, and the invisible bonds between humans and their pets.

The brilliance of Good Boy lies in its perspective. By filtering the haunting through the eyes of Indy, the titular good boy and Leonberg's real-life dog-the film feels intimate, disorienting, and emotionally raw. There's a line early in the movie that reframes everything we see later, and once it clicks, you realize just how cleverly constructed this story really is. The scares aren't loud or cheap. Instead, they crawl under your skin, growing with each passing scene as Indy's confusion and devotion intertwine with something otherworldly.

The human characters are never fully shown, their faces obscured or framed just out of view. That choice is bold and it works. It reinforces the feeling that this story isn't about them; it's about how the world looks and feels to a creature that loves without understanding the horrors that linger in the corners. The unseen becomes terrifying, not because it's monstrous, but because it's unknowable.

Larry Fessenden's involvement adds a subtle layer of indie horror credibility, but the true star here is Indy. Through his eyes and movements, we see grief, confusion, and pure, unwavering loyalty. Anyone who's ever had that one special dog, the kind of companion that feels like a part of your soul-will find this film quietly devastating. I did. It reminded me of my own dog, C. C., and that unspoken connection that never really fades.

Good Boy isn't a traditional horror film. It's not trying to be. It's a supernatural story dressed in fur and heartache, one that leaves you haunted not by ghosts, but by memories. The ending lingers like a cold breeze, sad, beautiful, and oddly comforting.

Good Boy is a unique, emotional, and quietly chilling experience that proves horror can be heartfelt without losing its edge.

"Good Boy" is a classic creepy haunted house story wrapped around a surprisingly fresh and original idea of having a dog as the protagonist. Indy the dog, playing Indy in the film, may well be one of the first canine actors to truly lead a horror movie-and he does a remarkable job, making the story feel more believable and perhaps engaging too. Most viewers will likely be won over by Indy alone.

The plot itself may feel a bit shallow and straightforward for seasoned horror fans, but the presence of the dog adds a unique charm that sets it apart. I liked some details which I can not spoil here, that make you think of your own relationship with your pet friend. There are a few effective jump-scare moments that are genuinely fun, even if the film is mostly a slow burn which leads to the expected. The pacing does drag at times, especially towards the end, but the consistent tone helps maintain focus without any distracting mood shifts.

Some of the dream sequences can be confusing, and I felt they could have benefited from sharper editing. The supernatural element (which is even revealed on the poster) remains vague and mostly unexplained, which-while slightly generic-might actually work in the film's favor by keeping the mystery in the "shadows". Though some of the effects look a bit cheap, the clever use of shadows and camera angles stands out. The creaking of the trees, the wooden house and the eerie soundtrack also fit the atmosphere nicely and draws you in.

If you enjoy slow-burn supernatural horror, you might find this film worth your time-just don't go in with sky-high expectations. I hope Indy makes good money out of this one to buy a life-time of bones :)

I enjoyed this more than I expected. It leans into a bit of an experimental style, so you have to be on board with the gimmick, but if you are, there's a lot to like.

Not sure if dogs are eligible for Oscars, but let's get Indy a nomination anyway.

Realistically, this is more of a 3-star film for me, it's good, but definitely has its flaws. That said, it gets a bump for the very fun behind-the-scenes post credits scene. Honestly, more movies should do this. It was both entertaining and fascinating to get a peek at the filming process.

LIKES: The Cinematography Direction The Sound Editing Originality All About The Setup Interesting Concepts The Dog The After Credits Reveal Summary: When it comes to independent films, I find myself always fascinated with the artistic choices of the director as they often tell stories in the most imaginative ways. Good Boy's small crew has accomplished much in their original tale, putting focus on the perspective of a dog in a very odd situation. As we find out in the after-credits scene, the perspective makes the difference, and Leonberg has put a lot of focus on coordinating stuff with the simplest of tricks. I loved the emotion, the ever-drifting angles of the sequence, and a film with little dialogue, but it tells a story through those incredible lenses. To find just the right shot to convey such hard moments is impressive, a technique lost in the modern-day trends of CGI and high special effects. The sound editing is gorgeous as well, subtle noises, crafty effects, and all the authentic dog noises were probably the strongest scare element of the movie, given how such sounds are hard for me to listen to. Again, it's nothing mind-blowing, unique, or truly a new vibe or sound, but it accomplishes much with a very minor budget to make it come to life.

Aside from the audiovisual effects, Good Boy's originality is a unique focus on following the dog through this "mystery" as he tries to keep his owner safe. A huge setup, the movie is a test of the audience's patience and understanding of loyalty versus conventionality. Indy's fierceness in their friendship is done so well, and the plot pays homage to what these animals can do, almost better than any human. That setup is an emotional roller coaster, and having a dog myself, its relevance helped to drive Leonberg's point across for me. Interesting concepts run alongside this part, trying to inject elements of horror that provide a mystery and thriller aura into the movie. And that allure of what haunts the house kept me guessing, trying to figure out where the film was going. I'll grant them some bonus points for adding some homage to the classic horror films of the past, which I thought was mirrored in several aspects of the film that I found creative. But most are going to care about the Dog, who accomplishes a lot in this film. Indy somehow conveys so much, and though the director reveals that the camera work does some lifting, the dog still has a spirit that helps to express so much of the emotional turmoil. He is also adorable to look at, his face, mannerisms, and those adorable moments of smiling, something I just naturally hover to and think dog lovers will absolutely love that aspect. Finally, my favorite part of the film was the revelation of how they made the movie at the end. It's a nerd quality, sure, but as my friend said, you can also find appreciation for how this small team accomplished this film, and the lengths it takes to make a movie without an army to make it.

DISLIKES: The Plot's Ambiguity Way Too Dark In My Theater Scare Factor Is Minimal Hard To Watch Moments Was The Revelation Worth It?

Summary: Where the movie veers away from enjoyment for me is what feels like too independent a concept that most may not enjoy. The plot's ambiguity is one aspect, a film that is a testament to the dog's loyalty, but the horror element needed work. You can find lots of interpretations, but Good Boy has a basic story without too many answers, trying to give you breadcrumbs to somehow piece together into a heavy story. I was left with more questions than answers, and not in a good way, as I waited to uncover something big in this house. For those who like abstract ways of thought, you might give this approach some more points, but I don't quite think it matches other artistic movies I've seen from film festivals. Even worse, the movie is too dark, as in visually dark to be enjoyable. Some elements do thrive in the shadows to start, especially at the beginning; however, when that tactic becomes too much that is obscures a lot of important details to an annoying level, that's where my friend and I didn't enjoy the film. The scare factor is minimal, relying too much on you being afraid of the dark, letting the claustrophobic grip have its way with you as the dog tries to do everything he can. As a result, the movie is not the most thrilling or scariest, which was again hard to enjoy as much as I wanted to see something horrifying waiting in the halls of the house. Ironically, the hardest, scariest moments to face were seeing the poor dog suffer at times. Those horrifying shrieks, the way he gets treated, and some other aspects I can't share to avoid spoilers are very difficult for me to watch, and at times, I found myself pissed at the choices they made to show that hurt the dog lover in me. Of course, the question comes up: was it all worth it? After reflecting on it, no, I don't think it was for most audiences. It is that concept that I think makes this film feel a little weaker, and what makes me think you might optimize your time at home on this one.

The VERDICT: Heartfelt, original, and creative, Good Boy has merits that show how independent films can be the masters of the movie-making art. Simple tactics create a complex presentation, full of authentic moments that are unique, intriguing, coordinated, and convey the primary message of what man's best friend can be prominent in. To have all these elements at a fraction of a budget gets my applause, and seeing that behind-the-scenes look helps put that perspective to the front enough to get some leeway. Yet, the movie's artistic liberties seemed a bit too free, and that made me feel quite bored at times, lost in this ambiguous enigma that this house has within its walls. The dark camera angles, forlorn stories, mundane scares, and focus on buildup did not come together to deliver the solid scary film they wanted. Such a small team accomplished a lot, but the directions were still a bit too independent for me, and I think I best enjoyed it at home. To score this is hard, but in the end, I give Good Boy: Comedy/Horror/Thriller: 6.5 Movie Overall: 5.0.

I just saw this movie; I was eagerly anticipating it after seeing the trailer and the premise.

We rarely see such a unique vision in the horror genre, and that, despite its poor box office performance, is something to be applauded.

For all animal lovers, the thought of a dog going through all this suffering is distressing, and rightly so.

Beyond that, I want to highlight the value of this film and the performance of the dog, Indy. Except for a few specific moments where the CGI is a little noticeable, all of the dog's scenes are incredible. His expressiveness, his stress, his attempts to protect his owner despite everything... simply incredible.

I also appreciate the runtime; 72 minutes is more than enough to convey the intended message.

The plot is quite simple, and it has some cheap jump scares that I personally don't like. But the topic itself is debatable...is it death that Indy sees? Or is it something else, like the "illness" that the family members claimed to see? It's clear that this entity was present even before they moved in, initially faint, and later growing stronger.

The ending, with Indy hesitating to accompany his master to the end, is painful and distressing. It evokes many conflicting feelings in me. Is he a good boy or a bad one for obeying his master and letting him go? Deep down, I want to believe that he chose to listen and live his life...The ending, and its post-credits scene, are quite sad.

In short, a risky film, slow yes, but an interesting addition to this year's good movies.