Good Boy (2025)

Genre: Supernatural Horror / Thriller
Director & Co‑Writer: Ben Leonberg
Co‑Writer: Alex Cannon
Starring: Indy (as Himself), Shane Jensen, Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Stuart Rudin
Runtime: ~72 minutes
Premiere: SXSW, March 10, 2025

Following the loss of a family member, Todd (Shane Jensen) moves with his dog Indy to an old farmhouse once owned by his grandfather. Unbeknownst to Todd, Indy begins sensing supernatural presences invisible to humans. As these entities grow more aggressive, Indy must confront his fears alone—unable to communicate what he sees and desperate to protect his owner.

• A Bold Canine-Centered Film

Good Boy is uniquely shot from the dog's point of view—literally at Indy’s eye level. Most human characters are only shown partially or with obscured faces, reinforcing that this is Indy’s story.

• Emotionally Powerful Canine Performance

Indy (Leonberg’s real-life dog) delivers a deeply expressive performance—a canine “actor” capable of fear, loyalty, sadness, and courage, all without dialogue or CGI. Critics have praised this performance as one of the year’s most emotionally affecting.

• Visually and Atmospherically Effective Horror

Despite its modest budget, the film creates genuine dread through shadowy imagery, minimalist sound design, and clever editing. Phantom silhouettes, slowly approaching presences, and a haunted cemetery backdrop help sustain tension without the need for jump scares.

• Concise and Focused Storytelling

With a tight runtime of just over 70 minutes, the film never overstays its premise. Indy’s singular focus keeps the narrative lean, compelling, and emotionally resonant.

Simple Plot Structure
The narrative relies on familiar haunted-house tropes—family secrets, ghostly visitation, gradual reveal—and doesn’t expand much beyond its core concept. Some critics noted the third act feels less impactful compared to its atmospheric buildup.
Limited Human Character Depth
While the focus on Indy is effective, the human characters—particularly Todd—are viewed more as plot catalysts than fully developed figures, leaving emotional themes less explored.

Good Boy (2025) is a haunting, original horror film crafted from an innovative perspective. Its emotional core—centered on Indy’s unwavering loyalty and fear—makes it more than just a novelty. With its minimalist storytelling, chilling atmosphere, and a surprisingly layered canine performance, it stands out as one of 2025’s most memorable indie horror films. Though modest in scale, it proves that fear and heart can come from the most unexpected sources.

Good Boy (2025) - IMDb