Good Boy is a supernatural horror film from the mind of Ben Leonberg. Told entirely from the perspective of a dog named Indy, as he navigates a new environment while trying to protect his owner from the evil that lurks in the shadows. Leonberg’s creative direction effectively utilizes this innovative premise and coupled with Indy’s memorable performance leaves the viewer with a rare little horror gem.
Todd (Shane Jensen) and his dog, Indy, move into a house once owned by his late grandfather. Rumored to be haunted, this secluded house seems to be the escape Todd needs. As they settle in, Indy begins to see unsettling things that Todd cannot. Sinister shadow figures and apparitions hide in the dark corners of the room, and Indy’s attempts to alert him fall on deaf ears. We soon find out that Todd is battling a terminal illness and subsequently pushing away everyone around him. Everyone except his loyal companion, Indy. His trusty sidekick remains throughout the whole ordeal, regardless of the malevolent entity slowly creeping in.
I love the way Leonberg keeps the camera angles low, thrusting the viewer into Indy’s perspective, giving things that normally would seem inane much more gravity. Often leaving the viewer unsure if the movement and shapes are tangible or just the overreaction of a scared canine. Every view of a human character is from the chest down, while facial features are often obscured in the shadows, causing Indy’s performance to stand out while most of the other actors fade into the background. I know the comparison will be drawn over and over again, but I would liken the gimmick with what was attempted in Skinamarink, although executed way better with Good Boy.
With its 73-minute runtime, Good Boy never really fleshes out the backstory but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Leonberg gives the audience just enough to establish a plot, and that’s all that’s really needed. Indy carries the story. As the viewer, you can’t help but put yourself in his place. You feel the confusion of a new environment coupled with a sick owner, leaving you unsure of exactly what’s going on. Are the entities real or are they just manifestations of a confused pet? Either way, it’s real to Indy and things just keep getting worse.
Honestly, when I first heard about this film, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was it going to be something goofy along the lines of what normally scares pets like vacuum cleaners, mail carriers and the like? It’s not, but that might make an interesting storyline down the road. I’ll honestly say I was pleasantly surprised with Good Boy. The tension built from brief flashes of shadows and entities kept me glued to the screen and the emotional final act will stick with you. I do wish it was a bit longer but it works with what it has. Indy was amazing, one of the best animal performances on screen.
If this first feature-length film from Ben Leonberg is any indication of what he can do, I can’t wait to see what he has coming down the pike. Get out there and check this one out. Good Boy hits theaters October 3rd and will be streaming on Shudder at a later date.
