Can a dog's perspective transform the traditional haunted house horror film?
In short: After re-watching Poltergeist, director Ben Leonberg noticed a recurring trope: dogs sensing ghosts before humans do. This observation inspired Good Boy, a 2025 supernatural horror film that swaps human dialogue for a canine's visceral, action-driven point of view to explore the bond between pets and their owners.
Directed by Ben Leonberg, Good Boy is a feature-length directorial debut that centers on Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. The plot tracks Indy's efforts to save Todd, a youth battling a long-term pulmonary condition. After moving into his late grandfather's rural woodland home in Harding Township, New Jersey, Todd is gradually consumed by a supernatural presence that manifests as shadows and skeletal figures. The story follows Indy as he encounters an apparition of a missing Golden Retriever named Bandit. This spectral encounter leads the dog towards a hidden bandana located beneath a wardrobe.
The production was an ambitious, three-year undertaking spanning from April 2021 to August 2024. Because Indy had no prior acting experience and no professional double, the crew faced significant logistical challenges. To manage Indy's unpredictable movements, Leonberg and cinematographer Wade Grebnoel utilized low-angle shots to prioritize the dog's viewpoint, rarely showing human characters above the waist. The set was often kept minimal, containing only Leonberg, Indy, and producer Kari Fischer to prevent distractions. To assist with direction, the director used a toy dog and a replica named 'Findy' as a stand-in. Leonberg also employed unusual vocal tones and strange noises to elicit natural reactions from the animal.
Despite a modest $70,000 budget, the film became a commercial success, grossing $8.8 million worldwide. It achieved this after a significant surge in popularity following a highly successful trailer. The film's impact was further cemented when Indy won an Astra Award, becoming the first canine to win a major acting award previously reserved for human performers. While critics praised the film's technical craftsmanship and emotional resonance, some noted issues with pacing and a convoluted narrative structure. The movie's distribution was handled by Shudder and the Independent Film Company. Its debut took place during the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Good Boy (2025 Leonberg film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-good-boy-2025-leonberg-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Film genres · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
