Tags:
Film: Good Boy
Year: 2025
Director: Ben Leonberg
Writers: Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg
Starring: Indy, Shane Jensen and Arielle Friedman
Review:
This was a film that I heard the buzz about ahead of knowing what it was truly about. Then I caught part of the trailer at the Gateway Film Center. Now I normally would wait to see a movie like this in the theater, but life seems like it could get in the way. When a screener was offered, I was stoked to be able to watch this. This is also my 2025 horror film for the week and a featured review. I’ve also now given it a second watch now that it’s on Shudder for my end of year round up.
Synopsis: a loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.
We start this in a dark room. In it are Indy (playing themselves) with their owner, Todd (Shane Jensen). Something is off and we see their phone keep ringing. The person calling is Vera (Arielle Friedman). She is Todd’s sister. We see her burst into the room. Todd has a medical condition that he’s not taking care of. It also seems like there could be mental illness there, being tired of doing different things to stay on top of it. She scolds and helps him.
It is from there that we get a montage of Todd getting Indy when they were a puppy. They’ve had great times together and that also includes Vera. We then see Todd take a trip with his dog. It is a rainy night. They’ve gone out to their grandfather’s house. Todd calls Vera as he can’t find the key. She inquires to where he is and questions if he should be there. He then finds what he’s looking for, allowing them to get past the gate.
Now I’ll point out here that the grandfather is played by Larry Fessenden. We see him through all home movies as he’s passed away. The longer things go on; he might have had the same ailment as his grandson. He also had a dog of his own, Bandit (Max). Indy is uncomfortable about this place. The dog senses a bad presence. He finds different things that cause it to experience things from the past. There’s a dark entity residing in this house. Todd has changes that come over him, as his health declines rapidly.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. This film is interesting, reminiscent of The Hills Have Eyes Part II because a dog contributes to the narrative through flashbacks. In this film, Indy discovers objects that trigger glimpses into past events. This is unique approach. It isn’t as effective in execution as it is in theory, but the dog's performance is undeniably excellent.
Then a bit more interesting things to go into from this, since we’re following this dog. The dialogue that we hear from characters becomes muffled. It can be jarring since I didn’t have subtitles, it was difficult to hear at times. My set up to watch the screener could partially be to blame there. Having given it a second watch on Shudder, it didn’t have subtitles there either. I did confer with a podcasting friend, Kate, that what is being said is incidental. She was correct. Again though, an interesting approach to follow Indy through these events.
Shifting away from this wonderful pet, there is an interesting concept at play here. Todd, likely suffering from cancer, visits his grandfather's house who might possibly be similarly afflicted. Vera makes a comment about the house being haunted. It is dilapidated. Todd seems oblivious to the supernatural entity or the house's corrupting influence. Even though this is not a new idea, I do think that it is effective. I do still enjoy the house being a reflection of Todd’s physical and mental state, similar to his grandfather’s before his passing.
The final element is familial bond, evident in Indy and Todd's mutual love, which sours as Todd gets sicker and lashes out, a reaction that is understandable. Vera also deeply loves her brother and wants him to seek help, but he delays until it's too late. A bond also existed between Todd and his grandfather, who also cherished his own dog. These relatable elements help connect the past and present.
A second viewing revealed deeper themes: Todd's inevitable death, marked by a stalking entity and physical decay, and Indy's helplessness to prevent it. The dog may symbolize the limited love and burden of caregiving. Todd's return suggests a cyclical, inherited fate, with Indy outliving the owner much like Bandit. By cutting off Vera, Todd accepts his destiny. A neighbor, Richard (Stuart Rudin), repeatedly warns about his fox traps. The woods offer Todd and Indy refuge but also danger.
Let’s then shift over to the filmmaking aspects. I appreciate the animal's perspective, offering unique low-angle shots and playing with expectations. While some opportunities were missed, cinematography and framing are strong. I love the use of the full frame, showing dangers that we see and Indy senses. The flashbacks help to build the story. Practical effects are a plus, and music and sound design effectively build atmosphere.
All that is left then is the acting performances. I’ve already said that Indy was great here. I do like Jensen as Indy’s owner. He made me mad when he gets mean toward his pet, but if you’re dying like he is, I get it as well. Friedman works as this loving sister, doing what she can to help. Fessenden makes a great cameo in his role. I’d say that Max and the rest of the cast also rounded this out for what was needed.
In conclusion, this presents a unique and interesting perspective on a supernatural horror story by largely following the events through the eyes of a loyal dog. While the muffled dialogue can be a challenge, the film excels in its core concept of familial bonds and the chilling deterioration of its human lead, Todd. The practical effects, strong cinematography, and the remarkable performance by Indy, the dog, contribute to an atmospheric experience. Despite some missed opportunities, the film delivers a compelling narrative, making it a noteworthy addition to the horror genre.
My Rating: 7.5 out of 10