Dog owners are known for pampering their pets, but filmmaker Ben Leonberg has reached a new level of appreciation by making his dog, Indy, the star of a feature-length horror film. The retriever shines in Good Boy, which debuted in the Midnighter section at SXSW. This type of unique project is often undertaken by horror filmmakers to stand out in this densely packed genre, echoing trends like the found-footage style seen in The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity.
The film, shot over three years, may not start a new trend but works well enough on its own. It maintains tension throughout its 73-minute runtime, with the story told entirely from the dog's perspective. When his owner suffers an unspecified medical crisis and decides to move into a decrepit, remote countryside house, Indy’s instincts start sensing a sinister presence.
Indy is often the only one aware of frightening nocturnal activities. He sees a phantom dog and remarkable apparitions, hearing odd noises and catching a glimpse of his owner’s long-deceased grandfather. Despite the oddities, Indy’s unyielding loyalty remains unmatched as he strives to protect his owner at all costs.
The director, Leonberg, co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Cannon, sprinkling in classic horror tricks while remaining mostly grounded in realistic portrayal. The film’s core emotional strength lies in Indy’s devoted loyalty to his owner, showing willingness to protect him against all odds - even when mistreated.
The success of Good Boy is largely due to Leonberg and his wife, the film’s producer Kari Fischer, for their remarkable dog-handling skills. They managed to evoke such a genuine frightened performance from their pet that, had there been an existing award for animal performers, he would certainly be a strong contender.
