A horror film told from the perspective of man’s best friend, Good Boy could have easily fallen victim to the novelty of its premise. Instead, it has enough bark and bite to sustain its unique hook.
Todd and his dog Indy move to an old family home in the countryside, where ominous events begin to unfold. Framing the story through Indy’s eyes brings a fresh spin to a familiar haunted-house setup. Dogs are perceptive and emotional, but they don’t grasp danger the way humans do. Indy’s confusion makes the film more unsettling and, at times, heartbreaking. It’s not especially scary, but the anxiety of watching Indy navigate what’s happening to him and Todd can be powerful.
As a concept piece, it mostly works. The film runs a lean 73 minutes and gets into the story quickly. Plot is light; mood and emotion do the heavy lifting, and that approach is effective even if the film occasionally struggles to sustain momentum. The exposition can be a little on the nose, and the strong finale takes a touch too long to arrive.
Where the film shines is in its craftsmanship. Made on a shoestring budget with a tiny crew over three years, it’s a confident debut for director Ben Leonberg. Human faces are often obscured by framing, focus, or shadow to keep attention on Indy, the true lead. He’s remarkably expressive, all the more impressive given he isn’t a trained performer. Paired with clever filmmaking tricks, his presence keeps you emotionally invested.
Good Boy is more than a gimmick. The deliberate pacing and sparse plot won’t work for everyone, but the perspective is fresh and the ending lands. Indy is a star — and reason enough to see it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review by: Benjamin Garrett