Good Boy review: Doggie horror that’ll have you on the edge of your seat

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Good Boy is a truly unique haunted house film. The story is simple, but it’s told from a dog’s perspective, creating an incredibly suspenseful and unsettling watch.

There’s a saying that filming with children or animals is difficult, and while this movie doesn’t feature any kids, it’s entirely centered around an adorable dog named Indy.

The dog in the film belongs to Ben Leonberg, who co-wrote and directed it with Alex Cannon. Leonberg skillfully captures a compelling performance from his dog, Indy, who convincingly portrays both bravery and fear.

Although the plot isn’t quite as strong as the captivating performance by the dog actor, the film’s clever idea and skillful execution make ‘Good Boy’ one of the most original horror movies released this year.

What is Good Boy about?

The film opens with Indy worried about his friend Todd, who is suddenly sick at home. Though Todd recovers, he decides he needs a change of scenery to get better, so they both move to his grandfather’s remote cabin in the woods.

They showed up on a gloomy, rainy night, and Indy didn’t seem to like the place much – and it’s easy to see why. Everything was covered in plastic, there were stuffed animals everywhere, and the doors kept creaking open on their own, leading to a spooky attic and an even spookier basement.

“This old house is so relaxing!” Vera teases, referring to the family’s reportedly haunted home. But Todd doesn’t seem to notice anything unusual, and asks Indy, “Seriously, is everything okay? I think it’s lovely here.”

The dog, understandably, doesn’t respond. But Indy begins to notice strange things – shadows shifting and a ghostly animal, visible only to him, wandering through the house.

The mystery deepens  

As Indy confronts a strange, supernatural problem, Todd notices several warning signs that he dismisses. However, these clues might help us understand what’s really going on.

Old home movies and chats with his children reveal that their grandfather owned several dogs, but they always managed to escape.

We also learn that no one lived in the house long-term except for Todd. A neighbor is surprised to see him there, especially considering how his grandfather passed away. Vera chillingly describes the grandfather’s death as a slow decay from within.

The rest of the family suffered similar fates, all dying at a young age and now buried together in a local cemetery. What could be the reason for all of this?

Don’t expect every question to be answered

Although ‘Good Boy’ brings up several questions about Todd’s past and the story behind the cabin, the movie doesn’t really focus on providing answers.

While the story has some interesting details hidden within casual moments, many questions are left unanswered, which will likely leave viewers wanting more closure by the end.

Honestly, ‘Good Boy’ isn’t really about *what* happens, it’s all about how it *feels*. I noticed right away that you barely see anyone’s face clearly – they’re either hidden in shadow or just slightly out of the shot, which really adds to the atmosphere.

The movie mostly focuses on just me and the dog, which was a really interesting and suspenseful way to tell the story. I was completely hooked from beginning to end.

Is Good Boy good?

The movie Good Boy doesn’t quite succeed as a mystery. Because it reveals so little and leaves so much unexplained, it feels more confusing than intriguing.

When the movie centers on Indiana Jones and the mysterious power he’s facing, it’s truly captivating. This is achieved through excellent camera work, sound, and editing, along with a wonderful performance by the dog. I’ve rarely felt so worried for a character in danger, and I’ve never been more inspired by Indy’s acts of courage and selflessness.

Good Boy score: 4/5

If you love dogs, ‘Good Boy’ is a genuinely enjoyable movie, especially because the story centers around one very good boy! It hits US theaters October 3rd and UK theaters October 10th. If you’re looking for other scary movies, check out our list of the best horror films ever made.

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2025-09-29 03:19