At the South by Southwest Festival 2025, one of the most unexpected hits has emerged: Good Boy, a chilling horror film told entirely from the perspective of a dog named Indy. Directed by Ben Leonberg, this film flips traditional horror tropes on their heads, offering audiences not only scares but also poignant emotional depth.
The story revolves around Indy, who is not merely the adorable canine companion but the central character who sees everything from his eye level. Owned by Todd (played by Shane Jensen), Indy faces a frightening supernatural entity at the abandoned family farm once owned by Todd's grandfather. The premise introduces immediate tension when it’s revealed during Todd's conversation with his sister about the farm's haunted reputation. Despite the warnings, Todd decides to take Indy there, seeking solace and perhaps even closure from his recent cancer diagnosis.
From the outset, viewers witness Indy's growing awareness of something sinister lurking at the old farmhouse. Through Leonberg’s innovative direction, audiences are treated to intensely subjective experiences as we see Indy reacting to the unsettling presence. Dogs often appear to gaze at invisible things, and here, those moments are amplified by showing us what Indy perceives — increasingly terrifying visions, none of which Todd can comprehend.
This narrative style presents Indy as both heroic and helpless. He cannot vocalize his fears to Todd nor can he call for help, which heightens the film’s tension. Unlike typical horror plots, where the audience may suspect the protagonist is merely hallucinating or paranoid, the perspective of Good Boy turns this on its head. The ordinary horror clichés are now transferred onto Indy’s experience. He is trapped with his owner, burdened by the fear of losing Todd to whatever supernatural force stalks them.
Leonberg’s handling of Indy, who is his own dog, showcases the bond between pet and owner with great emotional authenticity. Critics have likened Indy’s performance to some of the most memorable canine roles in cinema, with comparisons drawn to the husky's haunting presence in John Carpenter’s The Thing. The film encapsulates the essence of canine loyalty and the instinctive connection between animals and humans, even as horrors approach. “The title of Leonberg's debut is underselling just how much of a good boy its star really is,” noted Rafael Motamayor from Indiewire, praising how Indy conveys complex emotions without human speech.
Indy’s character development is facilitated through Leonberg's lofty storytelling techniques, which refuse to anthropomorphize him yet manage to portray his emotional arcs sensitively. The film employs artistic sequences where Indy dreams of Todd's grandfather, providing backstory through old VHS tapes—another innovatively haunting storytelling device. The film weaves these elements flawlessly together, making each experience feel credible and haunting.
While the plot iterates familiar elements of haunted house tales, they resonate differently through Indy’s perspective. The limitations imposed on him amplify the horror; his struggles and fears become ours as we’re drawn quickly to the edge of our seats. The entire experience feels uniquely unsettling partly because it plays on the age-old fear of the unknown, something Indy physically embodies.
Critics’ responses highlight the film's experimentation within genre confines. For example, Alejandra Martinez from the Austin Chronicle remarked on the film as “a charming twist on the haunted house movie,” encapsulating the film’s tone of being both delightful and terrifying. Others professed it as “a miracle of filmmaking,” indicative of what can be achieved when pushing traditional methods of storytelling to new limits.
Industry insiders are recognizing the film's potential for wider audiences. Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter mentioned the “expert canine-handling skills” of Leonberg and producer Kari Fischer. Their dedication to showcasing Indy’s performance is visible throughout the film, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with the character's plight.
The reaction to Good Boy is overwhelmingly positive, establishing it as not just another horror film but rather as one of the best horror experiences potentially available this year. The reception suggests distributors take notice, for many view it as setting new horror standards. Its emotional stakes, coupled with the traditional fear of ghosts, position Good Boy as not only fresh but necessary for fans of both horror and animals alike.
While official release dates remain unknown, the buzz around the film signals anticipation. Good Boy showcases how fresh narratives, combined with solid performances and innovative storytelling, can breathe new life and perspective on genres long established. Moviegoers can keep their eyes peeled for Indy’s return, as critics unanimously agree — this haunting experience is one not to be missed.