Good Boy
Directed by: Ben Leonberg
Written by: Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
Starring: Indy the Dog, Shane Jensen
Release Date: October 3, 2025
Good Boy (2025), directed by Ben Leonberg, is a chilling and original horror film told entirely from a dog’s perspective. Starring Indy the retriever, this daring experiment blends loyalty, fear, and supernatural terror into one unforgettable story.
A Fresh Take in a World of Recycled Horror
Hollywood has long been plagued by remakes, reboots, and derivative sequels. Truly original films are rare, which is why Good Boy deserves celebration. Director Ben Leonberg has crafted something audacious: a horror movie seen entirely through the eyes of a dog.
The film follows Indy, a loyal retriever, as he tries to protect his owner Todd (Shane Jensen) from an unseen supernatural force. By anchoring the story in Indy’s perspective, Good Boy achieves a blend of innocence, loyalty, and primal fear that feels entirely fresh within the horror genre.
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The Story: Loyalty Meets Supernatural Terror
The film wastes no time in setting the stakes. Todd has been bleeding in his sleep, a disturbing problem that his loyal dog notices before he does. Indy refuses to leave Todd’s side, nudging him awake and showing a protective instinct that sets the tone for the entire movie.
Exposition comes sparingly. A phone call from Todd’s sister suggests deeper issues—possibly illness or addiction—that complicate his situation. Soon after, Todd takes Indy to a secluded family cabin, a location steeped in ominous history. It was here that Todd’s grandfather died alone with only his own dog for company, a haunting parallel to Todd’s current plight.
As Indy explores the cabin, he begins to sense and even “see” things Todd cannot: eerie sounds, phantom barking, and the suggestion of the grandfather’s loyal dog still lingering in the shadows. The basement, in particular, provides one of the film’s most unsettling sequences, where Indy’s bravery clashes with his instinctive fear.
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Why the Dog’s Perspective Works
At its core, Good Boy relies on the bond between humans and dogs. Leonberg and co-writer Alex Cannon understand the emotional shorthand that comes with seeing through Indy’s eyes. We project loyalty, love, and courage onto him—not because Indy understands these concepts, but because we believe he does.
Indy doesn’t “act” in the traditional sense; he simply behaves like a dog. His warm eyes, curious movements, and unshakable presence allow the audience to fill in the emotional gaps. This makes him the perfect vessel for our fears and hopes, especially when the supernatural threat emerges.
The result is an intimate, emotional horror experience. We don’t want Indy to be hurt, and we don’t want him to lose Todd. That fear is the engine of the film, and it works because nearly everyone has felt the unspoken bond between themselves and a pet.
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Experimental but Accessible
Of course, Good Boy is not for everyone. The movie requires viewers to project human emotions—such as loyalty and love—onto Indy in order to fully engage. If you cannot make that leap, the experiment may feel too abstract.
But for those willing to embrace the concept, the film delivers a hauntingly effective story. It is both experimental in form and emotionally accessible, tapping into the universal love people have for their dogs. That’s what makes the scares so sharp and the emotional beats so resonant.
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Final Thoughts: Man’s Best Friend Meets Fear
Good Boy is a rare thing: an original horror movie that succeeds on its own terms. Director Ben Leonberg dares to tell a story through the uncomprehending but deeply loyal eyes of a dog, and the gamble pays off.
Indy may not know he’s in a movie, but the audience knows they are watching something special. If you love dogs and are open to an inventive twist on horror, Good Boy is one of the most unique cinematic experiences of 2025.
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Star Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
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