Good Boy is a tough watch for dog lovers – but it’s also one of the year’s best horror movies

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It’s rare to find something that brings so many people together, but the potential harm to animals in entertainment is one of them. There’s even a website dedicated to letting viewers know when animals might be in danger during movies, TV shows, and other media.

Ben Leonberg took a risk with his new concept, *Good Boy*, centering the story around a cute dog who finds himself in danger when his owner moves into a haunted house. The dog can feel the presence of evil forces that his owner is unaware of.

It’s unusual to find a horror movie that truly feels different, but *Good Boy* genuinely stands out. Horror fans won’t want to miss it, especially as we head into Halloween season.

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I just finished watching *Good Boy*, and it starts with this really intriguing setup. We meet Todd, played by Shane Jensen, who’s getting over some kind of sickness and decides to go back to his family’s house in the country to recover. He’s not alone though – he brings his amazing dog, Indy, with him! But as soon as they get there, Indy starts acting really weird, like he senses something’s not right in the house, and it immediately sets a creepy mood.

As Todd gets sicker, Indy begins to believe something sinister is happening – possibly connected to the mysterious death of Todd’s grandfather in the same house. Indy feels it’s up to him to keep Todd safe.

Good Boy doesn’t simply threaten its canine protagonist; it immerses the viewer in the danger alongside him. Unlike games like Maniac, it doesn’t use a first-person perspective, but cleverly uses the dog’s point of view through unique camera angles and setups. This transforms ordinary environments, like a simple staircase, into genuinely frightening obstacles.

While the movie uses familiar haunted house elements like creaky doors and strange sounds, it feels new because we experience the story through the eyes of a dog. This creates a unique sense of helplessness, as the dog can’t simply leave when things get scary.

Watching *Good Boy* can be really tough for dog lovers – Indy goes through a lot, even though the movie is only 73 minutes long. From the start, you’ll be anxious and want to comfort him with a hug and a treat. It’s a powerful film, but it might leave you feeling emotionally drained.

(Don’t worry about the real Indy though, he got a treat after filming any of the scary scenes.)

What really stands out in *Good Boy* is Indy’s incredible performance. He convincingly portrays a wide range of emotions, and even though it’s done with skillful editing and subtle cues, you’ll be completely immersed in the moment – like when you see the genuine terror in his eyes as he looks into the shadows.

Indy delivers a truly remarkable performance – a testament to Leonberg’s excellent training – that makes the scary parts even more intense and adds real emotional weight to the ending. It might remind some people of a specific *Futurama* episode, but the reasons it affects you will likely be different than you’d expect.

Despite a lot of great horror films this year, *Good Boy* is definitely among the best-provided you’re okay with watching the adorable main character face some scary situations.

Good Boy is released in US cinemas on 3 October and in UK cinemas on 10 October.

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2025-09-29 09:21