Good Boy

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.

Good Boy is filmed from the dog's perspective which makes it unique and interesting. If you love dogs (who doesn't? I'm very suspicious of people that don't like dogs, there's something fishy with those) you will like this actor as Indy the dog is Oscar worthy. For him alone this movie is worth watching. As for the story I was expecting something better, just more horror as it is categorized. In short, it's all about Indy, beautiful and smart dog.

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.

The dog absolutely steals the show - sensitive, intelligent, and almost too good for this script. His expressions carry more emotion than half the cast combined. Unfortunately, the movie itself doesn't live up to his charm. The pacing drags, the tension barely flickers, and outside of a few brief moments that actually make you feel something, it's mostly flat.

A lovely performance by the dog, but the story just doesn't have enough bite.

Good Boy is horror movie that right off the bat has a unique premise. The entire film is from the perspective of a dog, who is noticing that something's off about his owner. The dog and the technical aspects are easily the highlight of the film. The low angles, dark shadowy figures, and bright lights all help us put the the perspective of the dog. Indy (the dog himself) is the best actor in the movie. He actually shows more emotion than the humans themselves. The main gripe I have is that ( while the film isn't long) it gets very repetitive. The film constantly teases us that something's in the house , but we never really get to know what it is that is haunting them. The middle section of the film is where it almost made me loose interest, where it was just a lot of Indy just kinda staring at something and his owner telling him that there's nothing there. Also the human actors were not the best. While they weren't horrendously awful,but they weren't very convincing. Overall, Good boy was a solid indie horror flick that does deliver on its premise, but needed a bit more depth or scares to make it a bit more memorable. I still people should still go out and see based on the synopsis and if you are a dog owner or own any kind of pet.