Does the dog die in Good Boy?

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Good Boy is a highly praised and widely discussed horror film from 2025. Because the movie features a cute dog as a central character, this article will tell you whether or not the dog dies-information you might want to know before you decide if you want to watch it.

Since its premiere at SXSW in March, Good Boy has been gaining a lot of attention. Both critics and viewers have been impressed by the film’s ingenious core idea.

That’s because this haunted house movie is unique – it’s shown through the eyes of a dog! We experience most of the story with Indy, the dog – played by, you guessed it, Indy the dog – and he’s the only one who notices that something spooky is happening.

You can find our review of Good Boy here. However, we understand some animal lovers prefer not to watch a film if they know a dog dies, so we’ve included that information below. Please be aware that SPOILERS follow (though we encourage you to avoid reading them if possible, as the movie is best experienced knowing as little as possible beforehand).

Does the dog die in Good Boy?

No, the dog does not die in Good Boy, with Indy surviving through to the end of the movie.

The story follows Indy, a dog, and his owner, Todd, as they settle into a new home in the woods. Almost immediately, Indy senses something unnatural is happening inside the house. It seems the four walls hold a supernatural secret.

Strange sounds and shadows fill the attic and basement, doors creak open on their own, and Indy even catches glimpses of what appears to be a ghostly dog moving around the house.

However, Indy’s owner doesn’t seem to realize the frightening things his dog is seeing and attempting to shield him from. To be fair, Todd is dealing with significant health issues – a serious illness impacting both his physical and mental well-being.

His mental confusion leads him to treat Indy quite badly near the film’s conclusion. It also explains why he sends his closest friend to the basement as the paranormal activity really intensifies.

This could very well save Indy’s life, because even though he’s frightened while he’s down there, he survives and reaches the end of the film. Then, Todd’s sister, Vera, discovers him and drives him to safety, getting him away from the haunted house.

Just a heads-up – the dog doesn’t actually die in Good Boy, but he’s in peril for a large part of the film. And thanks to Indy’s amazing acting skills, he convincingly looks stressed and scared the whole time. This wasn’t done by frightening him, but by using sounds, hand signals, and treats-though definitely not carrots.

Director compares Indy to Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt

With the upcoming release of Good Boy, online searches asking “Does Indy die?” have dramatically increased. This surge in interest has led the film’s writer-director, Ben Leonberg, to address the question directly.

“Did the public’s reaction catch us off guard? Honestly, yes, I believe it did,” Leonberg shares with CinemaBlend. “The response has been wonderful. We definitely feel our dog is incredibly captivating. I think everyone believes their own dog is the cutest and most interesting in the world. So, my wife and I might be a little biased now. But truly, it’s been amazing to see how much people care about Indy, his journey, and what happens to him.”

Leonberg explains he doesn’t mind viewers knowing Indy’s fate beforehand, drawing a parallel to Ethan Hunt: “It’s likely similar to what people expect when they watch a Mission: Impossible film,” Leonberg states.

While Tom Cruise won’t actually die in the movies, the filmmakers need to create a sense of genuine danger – making the audience believe he could fall from the airplane and die while watching Mission: Impossible. It’s a unique approach to achieving a similar effect of suspense.

So, Good Boy is finally out in theaters! If you’re curious about the movie that inspired it, you can check it out here. And if you’re like me and prefer to watch from home, you can find out where Good Boy will be streaming first here.

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2025-10-03 03:19