Good Boy: A Testament to the Art of Perspective in Film
You’ll never view man’s best friend quite the same again
Shudder/IFC
It was not on my bingo card to name Good Boy as one of my favorite films of 2025. Honestly, this is going down as one of my favorite horror films of all time. I can’t even begin to explain how beautiful this movie is to me. That may sound weird because I’m describing a horror movie, but I promise, Good Boy is so much more than a fright fest.
How Was the Movie?
From the filmmaking techniques, to the storytelling, to the acting of the completely adorable pup Indy, Good Boy is a phenomenal film that deserves absolute praise.
The movie is about a loyal dog named Indy who moves with his guardian to a new home that appears to be haunted. Throughout the film you watch Indy try to understand the creepy occurrences that keep happening in the home, all while also trying to protect his guardian..
Viewers are taken on a ride of emotions from the very beginning, all which are reflective of what Indy is experiencing. There’s confusion, there’s fear and anxiety; there’s sadness. During my screening, I even heard some sniffling in the theater, which let me know that I wasn’t the only one fighting back tears. Yes, this movie hits deep.
Good Boy is not simply a haunted house film from a dog’s perspective. There are questions of life and death, and what it may be like to experience that as a dog. You will question if there is something supernaturally lurking in the walls of their creepy home, or if this is actually something symbolically darker from Indy’s point of view? It’s difficult to say much without spoiling, but just know that by the end of the film that you will have a deeper appreciation for dogs and their undying love for humans.
Courtesy Ben Leonberg
Best Parts About the Movie?
Filmmaking Style and Techniques:
The filmmaking style of this movie was so cool. There was so much commitment to make sure that Indy was the star of the show. The few humans that are in the film are barely seen to add even more emphasis to this.
There’s also great care in how shots are done to put the viewer on the same eye level as the dog. There isn’t much dialogue for obvious reasons, and when Indy does make whimpers or barks you understand his desperate need for communication.
Ambiguous Monster:
There is a monster in this film and I have still not figured out if the monster is real or not. It's pretty difficult to say because of the main human’s (Indy’s guardian) connection to it. This is a genius addition to the film, and it adds so much intense emotion to the story.
Indy:
Indy did such an amazing job in this film. Before watching the movie, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a CGI pup or a real dog, but Indy is absolutely real. His guardians are filmmakers in the movie and it took them over three years to make this masterpiece. They wanted genuine reactions and behaviors from Indy in the film, and it 100 percent made the film authentic and beautiful. I can not praise all of them enough, especially Indy. Please give them all of the awards.
Courtesy Ben Leonberg
Is This Movie for You?
If you’re a dog lover, then this film is ,without question, for you. However, the movie is uniquely filmed, and it is not full of much dialogue. This is not a Homeward Bound or Look Who’s Talking Now type of pet film.
There are moments where you are sitting and lingering with Indy while trying to figure out what’s happening. For people who are big on action and heavy dialogue, let this be a warning that this film will take some patience. But if you are a film lover for the art of moviemaking alone, then you absolutely have to see Good Boy.
IMDB
