REVIEW:

GOOD BOY. October 3rd, 2025. (R). Dir. Ben Leonberg. Starring: Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden, and Indy.

  In a year where horror has definitely benefited from indie artistry and a wide array of fresh original ideas, Ben Leonberg's directorial debut, Good Boy, is the whole kit and caboodle. Much in the vein of 2024's A Violent Nature, Leonberg ask audiences to view a supernatural horror film through the perspective of an unlikely protagonist, Indy the dog. It all begins when Todd, Indy's owner decides to move out to a long rumored haunted family home where his grandfather had died years prior. Indy, being the keen dog he is, immediately begins to sniff out that everything may not be as good as it seems in this once desired family home. From there we follow Indy as he scouts the paranormal and fights to protect Todd from the demonic forces that plague him. On the surface level, Good Boy would be just another generic supernatural horror movie, but Leonberg's clever perspective elevates this film to one of the best horror movies I've seen in long time maybe ever. Additionally clever is keeping much if not all of the principal casts faces hidden shifting the focus to Indy. Smart crisp writing sees Indy investigating the paranormal in scenes that make you feel uncomfortable as you know no human would dare tread where Indy does. There is a shot outside the cursed house  where Indy is inside the house barking at a specter and  the audience is left to imagine what is occurring that is particularly jarring. The filmmaking is on another level as Leonberg films his subject to produce more emotion than most human actors in even the best Oscar worthy entries. We truly feel for Indy as he races against the clock to save his master and through a near reverse old yeller ending that packs an emotional gut punch. A good pat on the back is in order for Leonberg, Indy, and everyone involved for fusing a fresh take on the horror genre in a year where so many horror movies stand out. 

CONSENSUS: You can teach an old dog new tricks! 

GRADE: A+