Good Boy

Good Boy
Stars: Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden and Indy, the dog
Director: Ben Leonberg
Scriptwriter: Ben Leonberg and Alex Cannon
Cinematographer: Ben Leonberg
Composer: Sam Boase-Miller
Shudder
Rating: PG 13
Running Length: 78 Minutes

In viewing this film, it is best to have a clean handkerchief with you. That said, here is a film where the star is a beautiful dog named Indy, who walks away with the film just by showing those beautiful eyes. Horror films come with monsters, galore, and “Good Boy” is no exception, and this is not a “Cujo” film. However, there is something called “love” in the script and direction by Ben Leonberg. This carries you through the hard parts and you want to go home and hug your pet for hours. Composer Sam Boase-Miller has just the right amount of background music to guide the audience into specialized scenes. Ben Leonberg has his eye really focused on his dog , and as cinematographer, doesn’t miss a moment. Directing your own dog who is destined for stardom was a feat in itself.

As the storyline goes, we begin with Todd (Shane Jensen) living in the suburbs and choosing a puppy to take home. It will be his beautiful dog, Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. How is that for pedigree? Todd has had lung problems for years and they are starting to fail. His family has property in a wooded area, and Todd moves there for cleaner air and places for Indy to run. However, strange things begin to happen, such as noises, visions, and Indy is the one who sees this and realizes it is harmful. Whenever Todd leaves the house. Indy hides until he comes back. How to protect his master? People have died in this house, including Todd’s grandfather. We go through the worsening stage of Todd’s illness with Indy, ever on alert for new things to protect Todd from. His master, though, doesn’t really need protection then as his temperament is beginning to change for the worse. The only calming parts are the phone calls Todd receives from his sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman). She is concerned and rightly so. When the ghost of another dog appears to Indy, there really is concern now. What to do? How to get this message across to a human?

Having the same dog in the scenes for an entire movie is quite an acting job in itself. This is a clever dog and those eyes serve the purpose as well as any written dialogue. You don’t see much of the humans, as they are hidden by shadows or speak by phone. This is an old house, so it doesn’t have to be neat and clean everywhere, and has exploring places a dog can go. The basement is always a curious place, but can be mysterious and harmful if not careful.

“Good Boy” tells a story through eyes and physical action, including tails and paws. You may think you can communicate with your pet, but they just might be controlling you. Showing horror from the eyes of a four-footed creature is a unique way of having a horror movie work in a different atmosphere. Saving his master from death ends up with an entirely different phrase. Only a dog would understand. Too bad there isn’t an Academy Award for dogs. Good boy.

Copyright 2025 Marie Asner