Good Boy Review; When I heard about Good Boy, a haunted house horror movie told entirely from a dog’s point of view, I had two thoughts:
- That’s either going to be brilliant or completely unwatchable.
- I need to see this for myself.
Turns out, it lands somewhere in between. Good Boy is directed by Ben Leonberg, and it’s his feature-length debut. It’s got all the usual haunted-house ingredients, a creepy old home, weird noises at night, a lonely guy, and of course, an entity that doesn’t like visitors. But the twist? We see the whole thing unfold through the eyes of a dog named Indie.
My Rating: 3.0/5
| Movie Title | Good Boy |
|---|---|
| Director | Ben Leonberg |
| Producers | Ben Leonberg, Independent Horror Collective |
| Genre | Psychological Horror / Experimental |
| Main Cast | Indie (the dog, Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman |
| Release Year | 3 October 2025 |
| Runtime | 1h 12m |
| Language | English |
About the Director: Ben Leonberg
Ben Leonberg (or maybe “Lawnberg,” depending on how silent that “e” is) steps into the horror scene with a bold experiment. His idea isn’t to reinvent ghosts or monsters, but how we see them.
The dude clearly wanted to make something different, something that’d make film nerds go, “Okay, that’s new.” And honestly, it works. You can feel the ambition behind every frame, even when the scares don’t quite hit.
The Concept That Hooks You
Haunted house stories are as old as the genre itself. What makes Good Boy stand out is the dog’s-eye perspective. It’s such a simple, clever move. Dogs do stare into corners, bark at nothing, and act like they see things we don’t. Leonberg takes that eerie, universal dog-owner experience and builds a movie around it.
It’s weirdly relatable, anyone who’s had a pet has wondered if their dog is watching something supernatural.
Plot Summary (Without Spoilers)
The story follows a guy who inherits his grandfather’s crooked old house in the middle of nowhere. As expected, things start to go bump in the night. But instead of the usual screaming humans and shaky flashlights, the focus is on Indie, the dog.
Through Indie’s eyes, we see the house’s secrets unfold, shadows moving, doors creaking, and an unseen entity that slowly makes its presence known.
It’s a haunted house movie at heart, but filtered through loyalty, fear, and animal instinct.
Meet Indie — The Real Star
Forget the humans, Indie, the dog, is the main character here. And he’s honestly a better actor than some of the humans I’ve seen in low-budget horror flicks.
Every growl, head tilt, or moment of hesitation feels natural. You can tell the filmmakers leaned into that authenticity.
And if you’re wondering, yes, Indie is the dog’s real name in real life too. A neat nod to movie buffs (Indiana Jones fans, you caught that reference, right?).
The POV Experiment: Does It Work?
Mostly, yes.
The camera keeps the humans slightly blurred or obstructed, almost like you’re watching the world from knee height. Think Muppet Babies, where you never really saw the adults’ faces. It adds to the mystery and keeps your focus on the dog.
Of course, it also limits emotional connection. Since we rarely see full human expressions, the weight of the story falls entirely on Indie’s reactions, which, surprisingly, carry a lot of it.
Visuals and Cinematography
Visually, Good Boy looks far better than I expected from a debut indie horror film. The lighting is deliberately soft and shadowy, and the framing makes you feel trapped in the house with the dog.
The blurred faces of humans might sound strange, but it actually works. It helps you stay in the moment, through the dog’s curious, confused gaze.
The Sound and Voice Work
This is where the film stumbles a bit. The ADR (voice recording) feels a little stiff. Since most human faces are out of focus, you can hear voices clearly, but they sound too polished, like someone talking in a studio rather than reacting naturally on set. It takes away from the immersion at times.
Still, the sound design, creaking wood, distant growls, faint howls, does a solid job of keeping you uneasy.
Scare Factor: Is It Actually Scary?
Not really.
There are a couple of jump scares, but nothing that’ll haunt your dreams. Good Boy is more about tension than terror. You’re not scared for yourself, you’re scared for the dog. And that’s what makes it effective in a different way.
Because let’s be honest, when there’s a dog in a horror movie, the first thing you think is, “Please tell me the dog doesn’t die.”
Character Dynamics
The human lead’s relationship with his dog starts off sweet, but there are moments that’ll make you frown.
There’s a scene where the guy snaps and pushes Indie away, and it just feels… wrong. Whether it’s possession or bad writing, I’m not sure, but it’s out of character. Still, it adds a bit of emotional unpredictability.
Indie remains loyal throughout, which ironically makes you care more about the dog than the man. Again, probably intentional.
What Makes “Good Boy” Unique
At its core, it’s a haunted house movie with a twist of empathy. Instead of fear through human eyes, you feel it through pure innocence, an animal that doesn’t understand what’s happening but senses danger all around.
It’s a clever way to breathe new life into a familiar formula.
Short and Sharp Runtime
The film clocks in at 1 hour 12 minutes, which is wild for a feature-length release. But honestly? Perfect call.
Any longer and it would’ve dragged. Leonberg keeps it short, snappy, and focused. It’s exactly as long as it needs to be.
Also Read: The Smashing Machine Review : The Rock’s Most Shocking Role Yet
My Honest Take
Good Boy isn’t a scary movie, it’s a creative one. The idea, the camera work, and the canine performance all shine. But it’s not flawless. The ADR and human characterization feel a little undercooked.
Still, I respect any director who swings big on their first movie. This one shows real promise.
Good & Bad
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Unique concept — horror from a dog’s POV | Not actually scary |
| Great performance from Indie (the dog) | Weak human characters |
| Beautiful cinematography | Awkward ADR and dialogue delivery |
| Tight 74-minute runtime | Emotionally uneven at times |
| Fresh perspective for horror fans | Some visual effects look low-budget |
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a truly terrifying haunted house film, this isn’t it. But if you love creative filmmaking, animal-centric storytelling, and offbeat horror experiments, Good Boy is worth your time, especially when it hits streaming.
It’s the kind of movie that makes you curious about what the director will do next. And if nothing else, you’ll walk away thinking, “Man, that dog deserves an Oscar.”
Conclusion
Good Boy doesn’t reinvent horror, but it definitely reimagines how it’s told. It’s emotional, experimental, and just weird enough to stand out.
If you’re an animal lover, a film student, or someone tired of cookie-cutter horror, give this one a shot. You’ll appreciate the effort, even if it doesn’t scare the life out of you.
FAQs
Q1: Is Good Boy based on a true story?
No, it’s entirely fictional, though the dog’s real-life behavior adds a dose of realism.
Q2: Is the movie scary?
Not really. It’s eerie, yes, but not nightmare-inducing. It’s more psychological than jumpy.
Q3: Does the dog die?
You’ll have to check the director’s pinned comment on that one, no spoilers here!
Q4: Where can I watch Good Boy?
Rigfht Now In Thearters.
Q5: How long is the movie?
Exactly 1h 12m, short, experimental, and easy to finish in one sitting.
