Good Boy (2025) is an American supernatural horror film directed by Ben Leonberg in his feature debut and co-written with Alex Cannon. The film stars Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden, and Leonberg’s real-life dog, Indy, in the title role. Set in a haunted rural home, the story is uniquely told from the perspective of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, offering audiences a fresh and immersive view of horror through a loyal dog’s eyes. The narrative follows Todd, a young man with a chronic lung disease, who relocates from New York City to his late grandfather’s isolated home in the woods, accompanied by Indy. As Todd’s health declines and eerie supernatural events escalate, Indy senses a malevolent presence lurking in the house. With tension, suspense, and emotional undertones, Good Boy blends supernatural scares with the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets, creating a distinctive and compelling horror experience.
Overview
Good Boy (2025) is a supernatural horror film that presents its story entirely from the perspective of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. The plot centers on Todd, a young man with a chronic lung disease, who moves to his late grandfather’s remote home in the woods. As the house reveals its dark secrets, Indy becomes the key observer, noticing sinister occurrences and guiding viewers through the eerie and suspenseful events unfolding around the family.
The film combines elements of horror and emotional storytelling, exploring themes of loyalty, fear, and the bond between humans and pets. Through Indy's perspective, audiences experience tension, mystery, and supernatural threats while connecting with the human characters’ struggles. With a runtime of 73 minutes, Good Boy offers a concise yet immersive experience, blending fright and heart in a unique narrative format.
Cast and crew
Director: Ben Leonberg
Ben Leonberg makes his feature film directorial debut with Good Boy, bringing a unique vision to the supernatural horror genre. Known for his innovative storytelling, Leonberg masterfully blends suspense, emotional depth, and humor through the unusual perspective of a dog. His direction emphasizes realism and intimacy, capturing both the terrifying and heartwarming moments of the haunted house experience. Leonberg’s personal connection to the canine star, Indy, ensures that the dog’s performance feels authentic and emotionally engaging, making the film stand out in modern horror cinema.
Lead Actor: Shane Jensen
Shane Jensen stars as Todd, a man battling a chronic lung disease who relocates to his late grandfather’s secluded home. Jensen’s performance captures a mix of vulnerability, determination, and fear as he navigates the haunted environment. His interactions with Indy provide a grounded, emotional anchor for the story, allowing viewers to empathize with Todd while experiencing the supernatural events through the dog’s eyes. Jensen’s portrayal successfully balances tension, empathy, and the occasional darkly humorous moment, enhancing the film’s immersive narrative.
Lead Actress: Arielle Friedman
Arielle Friedman plays Vera, a key character who interacts closely with Todd and the unfolding mysteries of the house. Friedman brings emotional depth, courage, and relatability to her role, ensuring the audience feels the stakes of the haunted house scenario. Her chemistry with both Jensen and Indy adds authenticity and warmth to the story. Through her nuanced performance, Friedman elevates the suspenseful sequences, making viewers feel the tension and fear alongside her character.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast contributes significantly to the film’s eerie atmosphere and narrative depth. Larry Fessenden appears as Todd’s late grandfather in flashbacks, adding a layer of family history and mystery to the haunted house plot. Stuart Rudin portrays Richard, whose interactions with the main characters heighten tension and suspense. Together, the supporting actors enhance the story’s emotional and supernatural elements, ensuring that the haunted home feels both lived-in and menacing.
Music Composer: Sam Boase-Miller
Sam Boase-Miller provides a haunting and evocative score that perfectly complements the film’s supernatural elements. His music blends subtle suspense, chilling crescendos, and emotional undertones to heighten tension and deepen audience immersion. From quiet, eerie moments to dramatic, jump-scare sequences, Boase-Miller’s compositions guide the audience’s emotions and enhance the dog’s unique perspective.
Production Company: What’s Wrong With Your Dog?
The film was produced by What’s Wrong With Your Dog?, a studio dedicated to creative and original storytelling. The production emphasizes authenticity, careful cinematography, and high-quality practical effects combined with subtle CGI. By supporting Leonberg’s unique vision, the company ensured that both the human and canine performances were highlighted effectively while maintaining a polished, engaging final product.
Run Time: 1Hrs 13mins
At 73 minutes, Good Boy delivers a concise and well-paced supernatural horror experience. The runtime allows the story to unfold naturally, balancing suspense, character development, and emotional moments without unnecessary filler. Every scene is crafted to maintain tension while showcasing the dog’s perspective and the haunted house’s chilling atmosphere.
Budget and Box Office
Good Boy was produced on a modest budget of $750,000, focusing on high-quality practical effects, subtle CGI, and authentic canine performance. The budget allowed for detailed set design, immersive haunted house sequences, and extensive training for Indy, the dog, who is central to the film’s perspective.
The film performed well commercially, grossing approximately $5 million worldwide. Its success is attributed to the unique storytelling angle, word-of-mouth from horror enthusiasts, and positive reception at film festivals. Despite being an independent horror project, Good Boy proved profitable and showcased how innovative storytelling can resonate with audiences.
Story
Good Boy (2025) tells its story through the eyes of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, offering a unique perspective rarely seen in horror films. The narrative begins as Todd, a young man suffering from a chronic lung disease, relocates from New York City to his late grandfather’s remote home in the woods. While Todd is preoccupied with his health and adjusting to the new environment, Indy immediately senses something unusual in the house. Strange sounds, flickering lights, and objects moving inexplicably hint at a malevolent presence lurking in the shadows, setting the stage for a suspenseful and eerie journey.
As Todd explores the house and uncovers remnants of his grandfather’s life, Indy becomes increasingly aware of supernatural threats. The dog’s acute senses allow him to detect dangers that Todd and other humans cannot, from hidden passages to ghostly presences tied to the house’s dark history. Indy’s perspective guides the audience through escalating tension, turning everyday household objects and quiet corners into sources of dread. The film cleverly uses this viewpoint to heighten suspense, making each discovery and encounter feel immediate and personal.
The story deepens as Todd’s health begins to deteriorate, creating additional stakes for both him and Indy. Flashbacks and subtle revelations reveal family secrets and a tragic history associated with the house, explaining the origin of its haunting. Indy’s loyalty and intuition play a crucial role in protecting Todd, navigating threats, and uncovering the truth behind the supernatural events. The dog’s actions not only save the characters from danger but also reveal hidden layers of the narrative, blending horror with emotional resonance.
In the climax, Indy’s bravery and sharp instincts are pivotal in confronting the malevolent force within the house. The story emphasizes the bond between humans and their pets, showing how loyalty, courage, and love can prevail even in terrifying circumstances. Through its innovative storytelling, atmospheric visuals, and emotional depth, Good Boy delivers a supernatural horror experience that is as engaging as it is unique, leaving viewers both thrilled and moved by the dog’s perspective on the haunting.
Review
Good Boy (2025) stands out in the supernatural horror genre due to its innovative storytelling perspective. By showing the events entirely through the eyes of Indy, the dog, the film offers a fresh and immersive experience for audiences. Every creak, shadow, and unexplained movement becomes more suspenseful, making viewers feel the tension as intensely as the characters. Director Ben Leonberg’s skillful pacing and attention to detail ensure that the horror unfolds gradually, keeping audiences engaged throughout the 73-minute runtime.
Shane Jensen delivers a compelling performance as Todd, balancing vulnerability, fear, and determination. His portrayal captures the emotional weight of moving into an isolated, haunted home while dealing with his chronic lung condition. Jensen’s interactions with Indy create believable and heartfelt moments that anchor the story amidst the supernatural chaos. Arielle Friedman, as Vera, brings emotional depth and courage to the narrative, complementing Jensen’s performance and making the human dynamics feel authentic and relatable.
The supporting cast, including Larry Fessenden and Stuart Rudin, enhances the film’s atmosphere and narrative layers. Fessenden’s portrayal of Todd’s late grandfather adds a sense of mystery and family history, while Rudin’s Richard contributes tension and intrigue. Each supporting role is carefully crafted to deepen the haunted house environment and elevate both the suspense and emotional stakes. Their performances ensure that the story remains engaging from start to finish.
Sam Boase-Miller’s musical score is a standout element, amplifying the suspense and emotional resonance of the film. From subtle, eerie ambient sounds to intense crescendos during jump scares, the soundtrack guides the audience’s emotions throughout the story. The combination of music, sound design, and Indy's canine perspective creates a uniquely immersive horror experience that is both thrilling and heartfelt.
Visually, Good Boy impresses with its realistic and atmospheric depiction of the haunted house. Cinematography emphasizes Indy’s viewpoint, using creative angles and lighting to enhance suspense. Practical effects blended with subtle CGI make supernatural events believable without overwhelming the story. Every frame is crafted to heighten tension while maintaining emotional clarity, allowing audiences to connect with both human and canine characters in the midst of horror.
Behind the Scenes & Why You Should Watch?
Good Boy is notable for being told entirely from the perspective of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, which is a rare and innovative storytelling approach in horror films. Indy was director Ben Leonberg’s real-life pet, and extensive training was required for the complex actions seen on screen, giving the character authenticity and charm. The film earned the inaugural “Howl of Fame” award at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival for Indy’s performance and received accolades from PETA and the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival. Practical effects combined with subtle CGI created a realistic haunted house setting that heightens suspense and immersion.
The film is a must-watch for both horror enthusiasts and casual viewers due to its unique canine perspective, emotional depth, and immersive atmosphere. Pros include strong performances from Shane Jensen and Arielle Friedman, inventive narrative, effective scares, and a compelling mix of horror and heart. Minor drawbacks include a few predictable sequences or limited exploration of the house’s backstory. Despite this, Good Boy stands out as one of 2025’s most creative supernatural horror films, offering both thrilling moments and heartfelt storytelling.
Conclusion
Good Boy (2025) delivers a unique and engaging supernatural horror experience by telling the story entirely through the perspective of Indy, the loyal canine protagonist. This inventive approach provides both suspense and emotional depth, allowing audiences to connect with the characters while feeling the tension of the haunted house. The film’s tight pacing, atmospheric visuals, and immersive storytelling make it a standout in the modern horror landscape.
Strong performances from Shane Jensen and Arielle Friedman, along with a talented supporting cast, elevate the narrative, while Sam Boase-Miller’s haunting score enhances every moment of suspense and emotional resonance. Good Boy balances thrilling scares with heartfelt storytelling, emphasizing loyalty, courage, and the bond between humans and their pets. The film leaves a lasting impression, offering a horror experience that is as memorable as it is chilling.