Good Boy (2025) – Movie Review
H1: A Chilling Tale Told Through a Dog’s Eyes
Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy is a refreshing entry in the modern horror genre — a quiet, unnerving story that takes one of horror’s oldest tropes, “the dog that senses danger first,” and turns it into the entire premise. With its haunting atmosphere, emotional depth, and a stellar canine performance by Indy, Good Boy stands out as one of the year’s most inventive indie horror films.
H2: Story and Direction
The film follows Todd (Shane Jensen), who moves into his late grandfather’s secluded countryside home to start fresh with his loyal dog, Indy. The isolation and eerie stillness of the setting slowly give way to supernatural dread as Todd begins acting erratically, while Indy perceives the invisible threat long before his owner does.
Leonberg’s decision to tell the story largely through the dog’s perspective is the film’s greatest strength. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, the director builds tension through sound, body language, and atmosphere. The result is a deeply unsettling yet oddly touching portrayal of loyalty and fear.
H2: Performances
Indy, the real-life dog of the film’s director, delivers a remarkably expressive performance that carries much of the emotional weight. His reactions—alert ears, nervous pacing, hesitant whimpers—communicate the film’s tension more effectively than any dialogue could.
Shane Jensen’s portrayal of Todd complements this perfectly. His slow descent into paranoia feels believable and tragic, balancing human vulnerability with the creeping influence of the supernatural.
H2: Cinematography and Sound
Visually, Good Boy thrives on simplicity. The camera often lingers on dark hallways, half-open doors, and quiet corners, letting the viewer’s imagination fill in the terror. The sound design is equally effective, using creaks, whispers, and silence to unsettle rather than overwhelm.
The muted color palette enhances the sense of isolation and decay, emphasizing the emotional distance between man, dog, and environment.
H2: Themes and Emotional Impact
Beyond the scares, Good Boy explores loyalty, grief, and the instinctive connection between humans and their pets. It’s not just a haunted house story—it’s a meditation on devotion and how far love can go when faced with the inexplicable.
While some viewers may find the film’s slow pacing and minimal dialogue challenging, others will appreciate its subtle storytelling and emotional resonance.
H2: Verdict
Good Boy isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s a quiet, artful, and unsettling experience that prioritizes mood and empathy over gore and spectacle. For fans of psychological horror and indie filmmaking, this is a must-watch.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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