Film Review – Good Boy (2025)

      Good Boy, 2025,

      Directed by Ben Leonberg,

      Featuring Indy, Shane Jensen, Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Stuart Rudin, Anya Krawcheck, Liptu Das, and Max.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A devoted dog relocates with his owner to a rural family residence, only to encounter supernatural dangers lurking in the darkness. Faced with malevolent forces threatening his beloved human companion, the courageous canine must take action to safeguard the one he cares about the most.

      It’s almost a common understanding in filmmaking that one should avoid working with real animals due to their unpredictable nature and refusal to respond to traditional instructions. While there are notable exceptions in cinematic history, director Ben Leonberg has not only defied the odds with Good Boy but has also exceeded both calamity and modest expectations, presenting a genuinely original storyline— a supernatural tale co-written with Alex Cannon from the viewpoint of man's best friend, striving to alert and defend his owner.

      These are sentiments rarely expressed by film critics, but Indy the dog arguably deserves an acting accolade, as this film not only fulfills a creatively chilling and engaging premise but also features a truly heartfelt and often remarkable performance from a real canine.

      There’s an astonishing backstory to this: Ben Leonberg spent years with his partner developing this horror film concept and training Indy together. The payoff is clear, as despite the various reasons that might make it hard to fully endorse Good Boy beyond its novelty, that remarkable dog consistently conveys emotion—be it through a worried whimper or melding with the unsettling atmosphere along with the supernatural elements, drawing the audience into his struggle.

      Perhaps the true brilliance lies in the fact that while Indy is vigilant against demonic presences and aware of any threats to his owner Todd (a stiff Shane Jensen, who quickly shows that human performances may not be the film's strong suit), the narrative also explores deeper themes beyond haunting, resonating emotionally with anyone who has formed close bonds with animals. Without revealing much, Todd’s troubling illness drives him and Indy to his late grandfather’s secluded cabin. Outside of a few calls with his sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman), conventional storytelling is minimal, leaving the motivations of these characters largely unexplained.

      Instead, Todd immerses himself in home video footage of his grandfather (the horror veteran Larry Fessenden), reminiscing about his cherished connection with beloved pets. The absence of those dogs injects a quietly poignant element of loss throughout the film, becoming increasingly evident and sorrowful by its conclusion. This doesn’t imply the dog meets an unfortunate fate, which would be too exploitative for a film that aspires to explore deeper themes.

      While much of this premise is brilliant and the execution is both unsettling and emotionally compelling, even at a runtime of 78 minutes, Good Boy can sometimes feel stretched beyond its limits, perhaps better suited as a short film. Certain moments come off as drawn-out and mundane, indulging in experimental elements just to extend the feature length. It takes time for Good Boy to capitalize on its premise and atmosphere, yet when it eventually does, it showcases more inventive creativity alongside significant emotional weight. Good Boy is engaging, with Indy effectively carrying the film and masking some imperfections. Ben Leonberg and his wife should be involved in any film featuring canine performances.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder