GOOD BOY (2025) Review - A Canine POV Horror You Won't Forget

Indy in Ben Leonberg's GOOD BOY | Courtesy of Ben Leonberg | An Independent Film Company and Shudder Release

By Shannon McGrew

When it comes to horror movies, the first question people ask when there’s a dog is: Does the dog die? Dogs (and pets in general) are sweet, innocent baby angels, and the thought of harm coming to them is unbearable. So when I heard about a horror film titled GOOD BOY, told from the perspective of the dog, my excitement quickly turned to concern. There was no way anything bad would happen to the dog, right? RIGHT? 

Directed by Ben Leonberg, GOOD BOY takes viewers on a journey of unease through the eyes of Indy the Dog. After Indy’s human companion, Todd (Shane Jensen), moves them into a remote family home, strange occurrences begin to unfold, ones that seem tied to a decline in Todd’s health. As the situation unravels and Todd starts to exhibit odd behavior, Indy must do everything in his power to keep his human safe and escape whatever is haunting the old family home. 

What makes GOOD BOY work so well is its emotional hook. If you’re a dog lover like me, you’ll be invested from the start. Co-written by Leonberg and Alex Cannon, and featuring Indy (Leonard and producer Kari Fischer’s own dog), the film benefits from Indy’s natural, untrained reactions. That authenticity is a double-edged sword: when Indy’s being the heroic “good boy,” it warms our hearts, but when he’s frightened or in pain, it cuts like a thousand daggers. Needless to say, Indy knows how to bring the drama. 

Indy in Ben Leonberg's GOOD BOY | Courtesy of Ben Leonberg | An Independent Film Company and Shudder Release

The central story of Indy protecting his human from a supernatural entity is carefully crafted to keep viewers on edge, making us wonder what Indy will find himself up against. And once you see his big, saucer-like eyes and lovey-dovey demeanor, you’ll be determined, like me, that nothing bad should ever happen to him, supernatural threat or not. One scene in particular, where we find Indy under the bed and scared, but focused on keeping himself and his human safe, showcases the devotion and love that Indy has, even when faced with the unimaginable. His love for his human shines through the darker parts of the film, reinforcing how our pets want to protect us from harm. 

Where the film stumbles is in its handling of the underlying story centered around the relationship between Todd and his grandfather, played by horror legend Larry Fessenden (Habit, Wendigo). There was something palpable and unnerving that was bubbling to the surface, deserving more depth for a greater impact. A stronger focus on those dynamics could have added weight without pulling us too far from Indy’s perspective, and given us a better understanding of the dynamic between Todd and his grandfather.

Even so, GOOD BOY brings a fresh twist to the genre, a rare feat these days. Dog lovers will grip their seats in dread, while hardcore horror fans will appreciate the unique perspective. Does Indy survive? I’ll never spoil that for you (though, yes, there are websites for that). What matters is that GOOD BOY refuses to play it safe, delivering one of the year’s most memorable and anxiety-inducing horror films.  

Independent Film Company and Shudder will release GOOD BOY in theaters on October 3rd.