Good Boy

A word of caution. This Good Boy should not be confused with Norwegian weirdo film of the same title that was presented at London FrightFest 2023. This a far more conventional ghost/horror story albeit from a dog’s viewpoint.

Indy is as loyal as they come to his owner Todd (Shane Jensen) and he to Indy. It’s a bond based on trust and love that comes under some pressure when Todd decides to move to his late grandpa’s (Larry Fessenden) house out in the sticks due to illness.

He’s warned against this by his sister Vera (Arielle Friedman) and later on by local trapper Richard (Stuart Rudin). Apart from the house being in a dilapidated condition, the circumstances surrounding his grandpa’s death were mysterious.

Nevertheless Todd goes through with the move and begins to settle in, as best he can. Meanwhile Indy senses that there is something off about the house and the surrounding area. Its not long before there are sound in the house and manifestations. At the same time Todd’s personality starts to change becoming more intolerant of Indy to the point of chaining him outside to his kennel.

Directed by Ben Leonberg, co-written with Alex Cannon, Good Boy overcomes the complications of a sparse script, a barely visible human cast and filming from the dog’s perspective. to deliver a compact, tightly controlled film that once the tension and dread begin to mount, doesn’t slacken.

Much of this down to Leonberg’s brilliant use of lighting in particular the interiors that the viewer sees from Indy’s point of view. This is complemented by the excellent sound design, with every crack and thump picked up by Indy as he registers the malign force present and tries to help the suffering Todd.

With the human cast relegated to blurry images for most part, the emphasis is on Indy. And does he perform. The dog’s affection for Todd and his supreme efforts to get him out of the situation he is in are palpable and genuinely touching.

This loyalty may be nothing new or surprising to dog owners but for it to be successfully translated onto film is
remarkable.

Good Boy is currently screening on Shudder.