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GOOD BOY isn't just a Title, it's a Promise

By: Professor Horror

                                                                                                       

                                            

As a lifelong dog owner (and the current proud parent of not one, but two good boys) I’m very familiar with that eerie moment when your pup suddenly stops, locks eyes with a dark corner, and growls at... nothing. You laugh it off, maybe tease them for being dramatic. But a part of you wonders: what if they really are seeing something we can’t? Ben Leonberg’s GOOD BOY, currently barking up a storm at Fantasia Fest 2025, doesn’t just toy with that idea  it fully commits and creates a horror experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is spooky.

Told entirely from the point of view of Indy (an adorable retreiver with a snout for the supernatural) GOOD BOY is a haunting twist on the classic ghost story. While the idea of animals sensing spirits isn’t new, this film fully commits to exploring that premise through a dog’s-eye view both literally and emotionally. Leonberg wears many collars on this one: director, co-writer (with Alex Cannon), cinematographer, and producer. But his most impressive feat might be as dog trainer. Indy, the real-life pet of Leonberg and producer Kari Fischer, gives a star-making performance that puts most human actors to shame. Over three years of training transformed this adorable pup into a fully expressive lead, conveying fear, joy, and fierce loyalty without uttering a single word. If there were a Palme d’Dog, Indy would have it in the bag.

                                      

The plot follows Todd (physically portrayed by Leonberg and voiced by Shane Jensen), who moves into his late grandfather’s rural home hoping to escape his failing health and an ominous presence that seems to follow him. But Indy knows better. From the moment they arrive, something is off. As Todd busies himself with unpacking and denial, Indy’s ears prick, his nose twitches, and the shadows whisper. It’s up to this very Good Boy to sniff out the truth and protect his human from an evil he doesn’t understand. What makes GOOD BOY such a standout is its formalist commitment to perspective. The camera stays low, tracking Indy through hallways, under tables, and into hidden corners. Human faces are rarely seen, and conversations are filtered through rainstorms, walls, and muffled car doors. This clever framing creates a sense of alienation and vulnerability in a world only partially understood, where danger lurks just out of frame. It's a dog’s life...and it’s terrifying.

                                       

While the film doesn't rely heavily on jump scares, it thrives in slow-burn suspense. Every creak of the floor, every hallway Indy hesitates to enter, builds tension. There are a few minor stumbles such as a couple of rough-around-the-edges special effects and some slightly forced flashbacks, but they’re easily forgivable given the film’s independent roots and creative ambition. If anything, they add to the charm (like a chewed-up slipper you can’t bring yourself to throw away).

What’s most striking, however, is how GOOD BOY captures the emotional bond between dog and human. This isn’t just a horror story  because it’s a deeply felt tribute to the unwavering loyalty of our four-legged companions. Indy doesn’t understand the illness that’s taking Todd, or the ghost that’s clawing at their lives, but he knows something is wrong. And he’ll do everything in his power to help. It’s gut-wrenching and heart-melting all at once. You might cry (I almost did), and you  will definitely want to hug your dog afterward.There’s also an undeniable cleverness in how the film uses dog behavior, like the way they pace, whimper, dream, and freeze mid-play, all helps to build unease to the film. These everyday canine quirks take on eerie new dimensions when framed within a horror context. Is Indy just dreaming? Or is something slithering through the walls while he sleeps? 

                                         

At just 76 minutes, GOOD BOY knows when to sit, stay, and roll credits. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and the tight runtime keeps the pacing sharp without losing emotional depth. For all its experimental flair, it remains accessible, spooky, and surprisingly moving. In a genre that often rehashes the same old tricks, GOOD BOY is a fresh treat. A daring formal experiment, a ghost story with bite, and a loving ode to man’s best friend, it deserves a spot on any horror lover’s watchlist (especially those who believe, deep down, that dogs do know something we don’t).

Four paws up.

(The Good Boys of Professor Horror: Bradbury and Lon Chaney Jr Jr)