Indy, the dog “actor” in “Good Boy,” might be the most photogenic star of 2025.
The horror film offers a scary story from a canine’s perspective, and Indy hits his marks like a pro. It’s fresh. It’s bold. It … doesn’t work despite bravura cinematography and a lead “actor” who is more sympathetic than the feistiest Final Girl.
Indy, who goes by his real name in the film, is the loyal pet of a seemingly frail man named Todd (Shane Jensen). The duo leaves their home at the start of the film for his grandfather’s old, isolated cabin.
Todd’s sister Vera (Arielle Friedman) is understandably worried about her brother’s health status, but he just wants some time by himself. Besides, he’s never quite alone as long as Indy is by his side.
The pair may have unexpected company.
Creepy flashbacks suggest grandpa (genre favorite Larry Fessenden) wasn’t the avuncular figure we assume. Plus, flickering images come in and out of focus in the remote home. Are they figments of the dog’s imagination? A manifestation of Todd’s diminished mental state?
A full-on, “Conjuring”-worthy ghostly infestation? If you’re looking for specific details … dream on.
Writer/director Ben Leonberg, who cast his own Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in the lead (Nepo Dog?) keeps just about everything a mystery. We’re already working at a narrative disadvantage given the curious perspective in play.
That means this fiercely original story refuses to play by the genre rules. What sounds refreshing on paper is exasperating on screen. We’re handed snippets of information, and even when the film finds a chilly moment there’s little clarity or momentum.
Don’t blame Indy.
Leonberg uses the dog’s adorable face for maximum emotional impact. Yeah, it’s just a dog, but Indy’s expressions and occasional whimpering are powerful and effective.
Never mind AI diva Tilly Norwood. Get Indy an agent, stat!
That man-dog bond matters, too, and dog lovers will bring something extra to the story. “Good Boy” offers plenty to chew on for everyone else, like a pet’s fear of losing his owner and how animals perceive real-world threats.
Add some of the most arresting visuals in any film this year, and “Good Boy” feels like a must-see shocker. Yet it’s more of a robust screen exercise than a satisfying shocker.
The film wraps in a welcome 73 minutes, a nod to the gimmick in play. There’s a reason we love watching dogs on screen and why they can’t traditionally carry a film like those two-legged types.
Indy deserves better, but he gives everything he has in the frustrating but wildly original “Good Boy.”
HiT or Miss: “Good Boy” is a bold new way to approach the horror genre. Too bad “bold” isn’t the same as captivating or exciting.
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