Director Ben Leonberg on Making His Dog Indy a Horror Movie Star in 'Good Boy'

In Ben Leonberg‘s horror movie sensation “Good Boy”, the leading role is played by his chocolate and white retriever named Indy. Throughout the approximately 80-minute film, it falls upon Indy to safeguard his unwell owner from an ominous supernatural entity. The selection of Indy as the main character generated a lot of interest following its premiere at SXSW, but putting him in danger on screen has resulted in varied responses among viewers.

At the beginning of the film, we first see Indy, a charming little dog sound asleep. The audience makes an adorable ‘Aw’ noise, Leonberg recalls. When things take a turn for the worse, there are powerful reactions from the viewers. At the latest screening at Overlook, someone who knew my location glared at me and exclaimed, ‘How could you do this?'”

“The movie starts with Indy snoozing peacefully. People go ‘Aww’ sweetly, Leonberg remembers. But when things get tough, the reactions are intense. At our most recent showing at Overlook, someone who knew I was there shot me a dirty look and yelled, ‘What were you thinking?!’

Filmed across a span of three years in an Airbnb located in New Jersey, “Good Boy” draws inspiration from traditional horror tropes, placing viewers in the perspective of a canine character that senses danger well before its human companions can detect any hints of trouble. Following its debut at SXSW, this film garnered widespread acclaim from horror enthusiasts, not just for its charming leading actor, but also for its genuinely frightening moments.

During the cinema’s screening tour, Leonberg had an engaging chat with EbMaster about the movie’s inception, essential tips for directing canines, and his three-year odyssey to release “Good Boy” on the silver screen.

What was the reaction when you first started pitching the idea of shooting a horror movie starring a dog?

The response to the proposal can be imaginative or pragmatic. Imaginatively, people found the concept intriguing, and we thought, ‘Wow, that’s a great idea.’ It reminded us of the common trope where a dog senses a haunting before anyone else, and we saw how this could make for an engaging and captivating film. However, from a pragmatic standpoint, portraying the story from the dog’s perspective seems implausible. Still, I might be considered a bit eccentric for even considering it, but that’s also what makes the movie interesting and distinctive, I hope. Working with my own dog, I believe the film will naturally be unique due to his unconventional performance compared to what a human or another dog actor would deliver.

I understand that “Good Boy” started as a proof-of-concept short film, and your dog, Indy, was in the running for an award after it screened.

We participated in a significant online short film competition known as The Rode Reel, which turned out to be the biggest one we’ve entered. Initially, we didn’t produce the short film with the intention of turning it into a full-length feature, but the substantial financial reward offered was a crucial stepping stone towards realizing this project. Surprisingly, we emerged victorious in the [Judges’ Film Prize] category, and Indy was also nominated for his exceptional acting skills. As I began writing the screenplay, I hadn’t originally planned to cast Indy, but the audience’s overwhelming response to him left me with no choice. There were certain idiosyncrasies about him that made him a perfect fit for the role. Essentially, we were compelled to make him our leading man.

Why do you think the POV of a dog is so effective for horror?

The viewers readily connect with a lead character being a dog, often requiring effort to make audiences empathize with human protagonists. By introducing a lovable canine right away, we immediately feel compassion for him. His struggles become our concerns, and the people he shows affection towards, we grow attached to as well, due to our profound connection with animals. From a narrative perspective, the storytelling is a blend of subjective and objective styles, offering an authentic experience. A scene might involve a dog entering a room and noticing something; what exactly he sees is left to the audience’s imagination. This is where the Kuleshov effect comes into play, as the meaning of each scene is constructed in the minds of the viewers.

Was there ever a thought to cast a dog that wasn’t your own?

When I began experimenting with Indy during filmmaking, I discovered his captivating, unwavering gaze, which leaves the audience to decipher its meaning after seeing the shot’s reverse angle. It’s as if we’re calculating a horror movie equation in our minds. Indy was exceptionally skilled at this. As the production progressed, it became apparent that working with your own dog offered numerous benefits. In fact, I often found myself serving as Todd [Indy’s owner] while acting for a significant portion of the film. There are actions that Indy would only perform with a family member, such as the way I get up in the morning and he slips between my legs for pets before we start our day. It’s challenging to recreate these intimate moments with an actor on set. Indy is deeply connected to the character because I embody it, and he adores me. He’s a method actor.

Take me through your production process.

In most movies with canine actors, multiple stand-ins are used to accommodate long workdays, but for our film, Indy was the sole performer. This necessitated a longer production timeline, similar to documentary filmmaking that captures a subject’s life journey. To elicit the best performance from Indy, it was essential to reside at the shooting location. The hunt for an appropriate location ensued, one that supported practical production, fit the aesthetic, and didn’t disturb neighbors. Remarkably, we discovered such a place in New Jersey, not far from New York City. The house itself was charming, nestled within woods, and required some transformation to make it appear menacing. My wife, who is also a producer on the film, was incredibly supportive, even agreeing to live in this “haunted” house for three years as we produced this movie.

With the unconventional location and schedule, how did you manage to make your days?

We continue to approach filming meticulously, aiming to capture various rooms, spaces, and angles to create the movie as efficiently as possible. However, Indy’s performances occasionally take precedence over this efficiency, given his limited working hours on set. Prior to filming, we spend time preparing for the shots of the day. We ensure cameras are ready to roll so that when Indy returns to set, we can immediately start recording, hopefully capturing him at his best. More often than not, what transpires is we spend the entire day setting up, only for Indy to surprise us by doing something unexpected. Sometimes these spontaneous actions, which were unpredictable and couldn’t be planned, resulted in some of the most memorable scenes in the movie. These moments make viewers say, “That reminds me of something my pet did,” adding a sense of authenticity to the film.

The performance from Indy is really strong. How did you manage to direct him through that?

Filming with human actors can involve directing them to walk into a room, stand at a certain spot, or look out a window. However, working with dogs requires a different approach since they can’t be guided to stand precisely on a mark. Instead, they may end up in various locations, which necessitates adjusting the lighting and camera angles to capture their movements effectively. Training the dog to follow basic commands like “here,” “sit,” and “stay” was crucial for managing its movement on set. The way we deliver these commands and the energy we project influences the dog’s response – if we whisper or scream, for example, the dog might run over excitedly or with more caution. Many people who own dogs can relate to this as the dog’s behavior often reflects our tone and mood.

Here, sit, stay, neon sign!” He complies, but looks confused because he doesn’t understand. When I remove my on-set instructions, which aren’t scary at all, and replace them with the incredible sound design and music, his reaction to that seemingly empty corner appears as a performance.

What does this movie say about the relationship between human beings and animals?

Essentially, the story revolves around our connection with animals and their significance in our lives. In this situation, I doubt I’d respond like the protagonist, Todd, might. However, the urge to isolate oneself and find solace in an animal that offers unconditional love – that feels incredibly familiar. Animals, particularly dogs, serve as protectors, becoming integral parts of our families, even though they are non-human. The movie showcases this profound impact on humanity. At a certain point, the characters watch a corny old horror film featuring ancient cave paintings depicting man and dog – a bond as timeless as history itself. The film is indeed about exploring such a relationship and what transpires when an indomitable supernatural entity clashes with a force of nature represented by a dog who will go to any lengths to save the person he cherishes.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-22 20:20

Director Ben Leonberg on Making His Dog Indy a Horror Movie Star in ‘Good Boy’