GOOD BOY

Directed by Ben Leonberg

Reviewed by Jason King

Running Time: 72min

Rating: M

GOOD BOY is a 2025 horror film told entirely from the perspective of a loyal dog named Indy, who moves with his owner, Todd, to a secluded country home. While Todd battles a worsening, possibly fatal illness, Indy begins to sense supernatural forces and entities within the house, things invisible to human eyes. The story builds to a chilling climax as a dark force attempts to claim Todd, while Indy fights to save him.⁣

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Todd’s sister warns him about the property; both siblings know it’s either cursed or haunted. Yet, the house was left to Todd by their late father, and it feels like Todd is doing what animals instinctively do: retreating to an isolated place to die from illness or age.⁣

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When I first heard about GOOD BOY, I thought, Gimmick. But after watching it? I absolutely loved it. It scared the shit out of me. I jumped, I screamed (a bit too loudly), and my horror-film-loving sister Kel called me a “horror pussy.”⁣

Bitch, I saw you jump too.⁣

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The entire film is told from Indy’s perspective, so expect some unusual camera angles and plenty of adorable moments mixed with genuine fear. Indy is actually the director’s own dog, and the shoot took over 400 days since every single scene features him.⁣

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PETA even praised GOOD BOY for its compassionate filmmaking, giving it the “Good Boy, Great Filmmaking Award.” The organisation commended the director for using his own dog rather than one from a supplier, ensuring Indy’s comfort and safety on set. They also highlighted how this approach sets a new compassionate standard for Hollywood.⁣

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Now, there are a couple of noticeable plot holes. The biggest one? The chain around Indy’s neck. When he escapes the doghouse, it’s attached — then it disappears, then reappears, and eventually seems to drag Todd into the basement. It’s inconsistent, though perhaps explainable as one of Todd’s hallucinations. A bit shaky, but maybe it works.⁣

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As for Indy’s performance — what a good boy indeed. Honestly, he out-acts half of Hollywood this year. His whimpers, eye movements, and expressions are genuinely powerful. The added sound effects (extra sniffing and whimpering) were perhaps a touch overdone, but hey, they serve their purpose.⁣

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The one thing that may frustrate viewers: the film isn’t neatly resolved. I initially thought the ending symbolised how dogs and cats sense death or its approach, but that seems unlikely. While the characters find resolution, the story itself doesn’t, leaving interpretation up to the viewer. Indy can’t exactly explain it all to us, after all.⁣

Still, FUCK ME, that dog’s going to need years of therapy.⁣

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While it’s been described as “one of the most heartbreaking horror films of 2025,” and the online search “Does the dog die in Good Boy?” went viral, it does stumble in places. It’s still brilliant, still terrifying, but not quite Oscar material but this isn't the films goal.

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