The independent horror film “Good Boy,” released Oct. 3, tackles the classic haunted house story. Despite its familiar plot, the movie stands out from the pack with its protagonist, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever named Indy. The entire movie is filmed from the dog’s perspective, a unique choice that gives life to this compelling tribute to canines everywhere.
Director Ben Leonberg’s debut follows Indy and his owner Todd (Shane Jensen) as they move out to Todd’s late grandfather’s house in the woods. Todd suffers from a respiratory illness and is desperate to get away from both the city noise and his nagging sister Vera (Arielle Friedman), who constantly checks up on his health.
When Todd and Indy arrive at the house, Indy is immediately uncomfortable. Through cryptic phone calls with Vera and eerie home video footage from Todd’s late grandfather, we learn the house may be haunted. As the days pass and Todd’s health deteriorates, a shadowy figure begins to torment Indy, even evoking visions of Todd’s grandfather’s golden retriever, Bandit, who went missing after his owner passed.
As his condition worsens, Todd has multiple episodes where he appears to be possessed by that same dark entity. He pushes Indy away, but the dog stays by Todd’s side, affirming his undying loyalty.
The movie’s greatest strength is its endearing protagonist. From the start, Indy is fiercely protective and absolutely adorable. Since nobody in their right mind wants to see a dog harmed, the emotional stakes of the film are immediately at an all-time high. As Leonberg told Bloody Disgusting, “In movies, you can kill off thousands of people, beloved figures, even kids, and audiences will barely flinch. But touch a single hair on a dog’s head and people will lose their minds!”
Although Indy has no clue he’s in a movie, he’s a killer actor. The retriever even received the “Howl of Fame Award” at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival this year. Behind-the-scenes footage shows his owners quacking behind the camera to get his attention and even using a stuffed dog replica to track his eyeline. No matter how happy Indy was while filming, he appears absolutely terrified throughout the film, thanks to his naturally stoic expression as well as strategic filmmaking techniques.
In one scene, Indy frantically runs through the woods at night, the camera following behind in the style of “The Blair Witch Project.” Combined with Indy’s shrill, desperate barks, the scene conveys true fear in a creative and gripping way. Many sequences also utilize the Kuleshov effect, bouncing between shots from Indy’s point of view — whether of a creaking door or an empty chair — and close-ups on his ambiguous expression. This juxtaposition allows the audience to project their anxiety onto the canine.
“Good Boy” does drop the ball a few times. Special effects are rough around the edges and Todd’s line deliveries can sound unnatural. Nevertheless, the film effectively conveys the sacred bond between human and dog. In one particularly heartbreaking scene at a hospital, Todd breaks down while Indy restlessly squirms in his arms, personifying his best friend’s anxiety and the way dogs act as extensions of their owners.
As the film progresses, it becomes less clear if Todd is actually possessed, or if he’s falling deeper into his illness. After all, anybody who’s been close to someone with a terminal condition knows that sickness can be a form of possession in itself. The movie never clarifies if the cabin is truly haunted, leaving the viewer just as confused as Indy.
But this film isn’t about what actually happens to Todd, it’s about the intense love and loyalty Indy has for his owner. Although scary, “Good Boy” reminds us that dogs will never let us walk alone, even in the face of life’s darkest moments — a true encapsulation of the everlasting relationship between humans and their canine companions.
Contact Annie Emans at [email protected].