Far from a traditional A-list star, “Good Boy,” directed by Ben Leonberg, features an unlikely lead: Indy, played by Leonberg’s own dog Indy, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. Blending classic horror elements and universal dog-owner experiences, Leonberg highlights a unique, four-legged lens in this 2025 hit horror film.
The story follows Todd, played by Shane Jensen, who moves into his family’s abandoned home within secluded back-country woods. Indy, his best friend and dog, joins him on the move.
The 73-minute film slowly builds tension around the mysterious death of Todd’s grandfather, played by Larry Fessenden, and the presumed death of his dog, Bandit, which occurred in the very home Todd moves to. As sinister forces begin to take form, Todd remains far too unaware, while Indy’s instincts sense the looming presence.
Every dog owner understands the unsettling atmosphere of their pet staring into empty corners or whining at unseen presences.
“Good Boy” capitalizes on this experience and transforms it into an unsettling cinematic device, leaving audiences squirming and covering their eyes.
To keep the focus on Indy, blocking, sound design and technical choices were deliberate. Humans were secondary elements in most scenes, their faces cropped or obstructed while Indy held the central focus. Dialogue was used sparingly and was nearly exclusively used to advance the plot or provide context.
Instead, emotions and atmosphere are conveyed through technical elements and Indy’s expressive reactions.
One cinematic technique used throughout the film was the dolly zoom, where the camera is physically pulled away from a subject while the lens simultaneously zooms in and focuses on the subject. The result is a skewed image that evokes unease.
What makes “Good Boy” compelling is not a groundbreaking plot or hyper-realistic gore, but the ability to capitalize on humans’ bond with pets and the creation of truly scary moments, with an unlikely lead and cinematic techniques. Rooted in an emotion many audiences can connect with, Leonberg angles the film to hit humans’ desire to see Indy’s survival and protection.
Many mainstream horror films use animals or pets as collateral damage to heighten and direct anger towards an antagonist. Leonberg flips this trope to explore an untapped angle in the horror genre.
In the first week, “Good Boy” earned a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics applauded Leonberg’s directorial skills and the film’s elevation through Indy’s performance. A remark I reflect similarly.
While the second half is packed with jump scares and intense scenes, the first half felt lackluster with minimal tension in an effort to fulfill narrative buildup. The result was a slow-paced beginning that left more to be desired.
Still, Indy’s impressive and compelling performance outshone these critiques, as audiences and I grew a connection to the beloved protagonist.
“Good Boy” stands out with a fresh, innovative lens that is sure to capture the attention and hearts of viewers.
