The upcoming horror film Good Boy offers a new approach to the haunted house genre by presenting the story entirely from the viewpoint of a dog. Written and directed by Ben Leonberg, the film features Leonberg’s own dog Indy in the lead role, alongside Shane Jensen.
After a family tragedy, Todd (Jensen) and his dog Indy relocate to a countryside home. It is there that Indy senses a sinister presence his owner cannot detect. As the disturbing events escalate, the loyal dog must find a way to protect Todd from the unseen threat.
Leonberg described the unusual production process: “When your lead actor is a dog, traditional filmmaking rules go out the window: For three years, my wife (also the film’s producer) and I worked around his schedule, eliciting his ‘performance’ by making silly noises, posing him in specific positions, and enticing him around our ‘haunted’ house with treats.”
All of Indy’s scenes were filmed on closed sets to keep him focused. Leonberg stepped into an acting role himself because Indy responds best to him. “I’ve always believed the best films emerge because of their constraints, not in spite of them. Horror, in particular, thrives on ingenuity over budget,” he added.
Good Boy premiered at SXSW in March 2025, where it drew praise for its originality and emotional impact.
Set for release in cinemas on October 3, Good Boy arrives just in time for Halloween.
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