‘Good Boy’ Brings Horror to the Big Screen Through a Dog’s Eyes
Acclaimed indie horror Good Boy is making waves not just for its suspenseful story, but for its groundbreaking perspective—told entirely through the eyes of a dog.
The film premiered at South by Southwest in March and has drawn raves for its unique lead: Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Critics have praised Indy as a remarkable screen presence, with IndieWire calling him “one of the most emotive actors of his generation… regardless of species.”
The story follows Todd (Shane Jensen), a man battling a serious illness, who moves with his dog Indy to his late grandfather’s rural farmhouse. But while Todd struggles with his health, Indy senses dark forces lurking in the house. Through the dog’s point of view, the audience experiences both his fear and his frustration as his warnings go unheeded by his owner.
Director and co-writer Ben Leonberg says the idea came from watching Poltergeist for the hundredth time. “In so many horror films, the dog senses danger first. I thought—what if we told the whole story from that perspective?”
Indy was the obvious choice for the lead role—he’s Leonberg’s own dog. Shot over three years with Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer, the film relied on patient direction, food cues, and Indy’s natural instincts to craft a performance that feels startlingly real.
The result is a horror film that’s not only chilling but deeply affecting, capturing the bond between man and dog under supernatural threat.
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Good Boy joins a growing trend of animal-driven performances on screen. Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing features a scene-stealing cat named Tonic, while French Oscar-winner Anatomy of a Fall propelled border collie Messi into stardom. At Cannes, the quirky Palm Dog award continues to highlight outstanding canine performances, reflecting what some critics call a “resurgence” of dogs in cinema.
Animal trainer Bill Berloni, who pioneered humane, reward-based methods for stage and screen, says the industry has finally realized that animals aren’t props—they’re performers who need time, patience, and trust. While he insists animals don’t truly “act” in the human sense, he believes their trainers deserve recognition for shaping unforgettable on-screen moments.
Whether or not Hollywood ever creates an Oscar for animals, Leonberg says Indy is enjoying life as a rising star: “He’s just happy to keep working, getting treats, and making people smile.”