Good Boy is an upcoming film slated for theatrical release on October 3rd. It had its world premiere earlier this year on March 10th at the South by Southwest Film Festival. Written by Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg, and directed by Leonberg, the film stars Indy the Dog, Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, and Larry Fessenden. The story follows a loyal dog who moves with his owner Todd to a rural family home, only to uncover supernatural forces lurking nearby. As dark entities begin to threaten his human companion, the brave pup must confront terrifying forces to protect the one he loves most.

I remember hearing about the film around the time of its premiere — it was one of those concept-driven projects that immediately sparked curiosity. Whether it turns out to be good or bad, a film built around a bold concept tends to grab attention simply because people feel compelled to experience it for themselves. I also recall the filmmakers making it known early on that the dog survives — so I don’t consider it a spoiler to mention that. Interestingly, despite that reassurance, the film still explores themes of death in a way that deepens its emotional core and emphasizes the profound bond between humans and their pets.

Indy the Dog redefines what it means to deliver a powerful on-screen performance from an animal. It’s remarkable how naturally he fulfills the emotional and narrative demands of the script. You can sense that director Ben Leonberg — who also happens to be Indy’s owner — carefully explored what Indy was capable of before integrating those abilities into the story. The result is a performance that feels intuitive rather than forced. Indy’s attentive presence and expressive reactions often feel uncannily human, making him easy to connect with on an emotional level.

Leonberg deserves credit not just for drawing out such a layered performance from Indy, but also for skillfully balancing tone and atmosphere. He guides his canine star with clear trust and affection, while still building authentic tension through the film’s horror elements.

Instead of leaning on the familiar trope of a dog’s death for emotional weight, the film cleverly inverts expectations — focusing instead on the slow, inevitable decline of the dog’s human companion. It’s a shift that deepens the emotional stakes: rather than fearing for the dog’s life, we witness the dog’s unwavering loyalty in the face of grief and loss. Just when you think you’re safe from the usual emotional gut-punch, the film delivers something even more affecting. By the end, Indy fully earns the title of Good Boy.

It’s clear the film was made on a modest budget, but the crew maximizes every resource to impressive effect. Leave it to IFC Films to champion originality — especially when it comes to lower-budget genre fare. Good Boy still manages to achieve a cinematic quality that justifies its theatrical release. From the striking cinematography to the effective use of practical effects, the film delivers a visual and atmospheric experience that feels right at home on the big screen.

The runtime, however, did catch me off guard. At just 74 minutes, it’s unusually brief for a theatrical feature — a length more commonly seen on platforms like Shudder, where the film is slated to eventually land. It might make some viewers question whether it’s worth the trip to the theater. But in this case, the brevity works. Every scene feels intentional, and the pacing ensures there’s no wasted time. That said, a few more scenes — particularly to further develop certain characters or relationships — could have added emotional depth without compromising the film’s tight structure.

At times, the dialogue audio feels slightly disconnected — occasionally coming across more like voiceover than natural, on-set conversation. This can break the immersion, especially during scenes meant to feel grounded. Since the film is told almost entirely from the dog’s perspective, it makes sense that we rarely see human faces, and that the audio might take on a more subjective quality. However, the voices often sound too detached from the physical presence of the characters on screen. Including more visible, on-camera dialogue could have reinforced the emotional connection and made the storytelling feel more cohesive.

While the film successfully maintains a creepy, unsettling atmosphere, it falls short when it comes to delivering actual scares. There’s a consistent sense of unease, but not many moments that truly frighten. Viewers expecting a more intense or terrifying experience may find themselves underwhelmed. That said, the film leans into a different kind of horror — one that’s more emotional than visceral, centered on Indy’s loyalty and the slow decay of his world. Still, a few well-placed jump scares or moments of heightened tension could have added urgency and raised the stakes without undermining the film’s tone.

Overall, Good Boy lives up to its title, largely thanks to a standout performance from Indy the Dog, who truly steals the show. From its heartfelt central performance to its emotional core and distinctive visual style, the film delivers a memorable experience — even if it falls short in terms of traditional scares or length. These strengths more than make up for its shortcomings. If you have the chance to catch it in theaters this weekend, it’s absolutely worth your time.

VERDICT: 3.5/5 – Pretty Good