I Put Off Good Boy After Losing My Dog, But Finally Watching It Helped Me Grieve

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Okay, huge warning here! I’m about to talk about everything that happens in Good Boy, the new horror movie. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it yet, stop reading now – I’m going to spoil everything!

I was really excited when I heard about Good Boy coming out – it immediately went on my must-see list for the year. But then, just a few days after it was released, I had to say goodbye to my dog, Hank, after twelve wonderful years together. It was devastating, and honestly, I was in no emotional state to watch a movie about a dog trying to save his owner from something… supernatural. My grief was just too raw, and the thought of watching that film felt impossible at the time.

Everything shifted when I discovered Good Boy was available on Shudder. I decided to watch it, wondering if I was emotionally prepared. Despite still feeling a lot of pain, this creative horror film surprisingly helped me begin to heal and move forward. Let me tell you how…

It Helped Me Remember The Importance Of Letting Go

Many who’ve seen the movie Good Boy recognize its core message: it’s about moving forward and embracing life, rather than being held back by past pain and loss. While marketed as a horror film about a dog protecting his owner from a supernatural threat, it’s really about a dog trying to save his owner from the inevitable – a battle that can’t be won. This reminded me of my wife and my own experience with our dog, Hank, and the efforts we made to both save him and ensure his final moments were as happy and comfortable as possible.

I still struggle with unwanted thoughts, replaying past events and wishing I’d done things differently. But ultimately, accepting loss and learning to let go really helped me grieve. It’s important to remember that letting go doesn’t diminish the love you feel for someone, and that was a crucial realization for me.

Still, Todd’s Final Words To Indy Hit So Damn Hard

Okay, so even though I knew what was coming, this movie destroyed me. Seriously, I cried way more during it than with anything else I’ve seen this year – though 28 Years Later and that beautiful ‘Memento Mori/Memento Amoris’ scene did give it a run for its money. It really hit me hard when it became clear that Indy’s owner, Todd, wasn’t dealing with a ghost or anything supernatural, but with a really serious illness. It just got me thinking about death, and people I’ve lost myself. Then, when Todd started saying his goodbyes to Indy… that’s when things really got to me.

You’re a good dog. But you can’t save me. You gotta stay here.

I’ve been thinking about those words ever since the credits rolled, and they’ve really got me pondering life, loss, and how we cope with saying goodbye. It’s tough knowing we can’t take our loved ones – family and pets alike – with us, but we can keep living, and that’s what matters.

Even though Good Boy made me really sad at points, it’s still one of the most memorable movies I’ve seen this year. It’s a film, like the character Hank, that will stay with me for a long time.

Stream Good Boy on Shudder.

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2025-12-02 22:08