Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy is one of the year’s most haunting horror films and one of its most heartfelt. Told entirely from the perspective of a dog, the film manages to be both terrifying and profoundly moving, a supernatural tale that doubles as a tribute to the unshakable bond between humans and their four-legged companions.
From its opening montage of VHS home videos featuring Larry Fessenden as a doting grandfather, the film traces the life of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, from playful puppy to devoted adult. These sequences are as tender as they are heartbreaking, especially when paired with glimpses of Indy’s owner falling ill. The camera loves Indy, capturing every tilt of his head, every curious glance, every moment of silent devotion. It is impossible not to fall in love with him too.
But make no mistake: this is horror. Shadows linger in doorways, liminal spaces pulse with dread, and the score, built from rain, tones, and deep hums, unsettles the audience as much as Indy’s wary eyes. Dream sequences thrust us inside the dog’s head, conjuring nightmare imagery that feels primal and unfamiliar. When the house itself begins to turn against Indy and his ailing owner, the film becomes a canine twist on Skinamarink or In a Violent Nature, presenting horror through a perspective rarely explored on screen.
What is most remarkable is Indy’s performance. Whether whimpering in fear, caught in a trap, or pressing close to comfort his owner, his reactions feel achingly genuine. He communicates terror, confusion, and above all, unconditional love. Even in moments of pure dread, Indy’s hopefulness shines through. By the time his owner’s face is revealed, the emotional release is overwhelming.
Leonberg wisely leans into minimalism, letting shadows, silence, and the geography of the house do much of the work. It is a slow burn at first, but that patience pays off. Like Indy, viewers learn to distrust the dark corners of every frame. A word of advice: do not watch this one in daylight, you will want to let the oppressive blackness swallow you whole.
Comparisons are inevitable. Good Boy feels like the horror version of Homeward Bound, with shades of Flow and other experimental works that rethink perspective. Yet it is also something wholly new. The film humanizes a dog without stripping away his animal instincts, showing how far love can carry a creature who does not fully understand the horrors around him.
It is no wonder IFC expanded Good Boy into a wide release after its SXSW debut and viral trailer success. Indy has already won SXSW’s ‘Howl of Fame Award,’ and he deserves every accolade—Dog of the Year, easily. Good Boy is a game-changing horror film that is terrifying, tender, and unforgettable. Indy is not just the star of the movie; he is its beating heart.
Jessie Hobson