Todd and his loyal dog Indy escape the city for an isolated country house Todd inherited from his grandfather. From the moment they arrive in a pouring rainstorm, Indy senses something is wrong. He sees a mysterious figure’s silhouette and initially refuses to leave the car.
As strange events unfold, including a ghost dog appearing and eerie noises, Indy guides us through the supernatural occurrences. Todd, overwhelmed by a serious illness and the house’s haunting, is oblivious to the strange happenings. Horror film veteran Larry Fessenden plays Todd’s deceased grandfather, adding credibility to the film.
Director Ben Leonberg, co-writing with Alex Cannon, uses standard horror tropes but generally opts for a straightforward narrative. What gives the film emotional weight is Indy’s unwavering loyalty to Todd.
Indy’s devotion amidst supernatural chaos
Even when Todd mistreats Indy, the dog’s devotion never wavers. The convincing portrayal of Indy’s fear and loyalty is a testament to Leonberg’s and his wife Kari Fischer’s exceptional skill in handling the canine actor. “Good Boy” works on its terms, thanks largely to Indy’s believable and heartfelt performance.
While it may not revolutionize the genre, it offers a fresh and engaging perspective on horror through a dog’s eyes. Leonberg keeps the focus on Indy by mostly obscuring the faces of human characters, adding to the tension as it becomes apparent that harm is on its way and that the home has previously claimed a beloved pet’s life. The unique storytelling poses challenges, as the lead protagonist cannot verbally convey what he sees, leaving the audience to piece together clues through Todd and Vera’s phone calls and old home videos of Grandpa.
“Good Boy” is packed with shadowed corners, flickering lights, tormented ghosts, and even doggy nightmares. However, it transcends the haunted house genre to craft a thoughtful, unnerving, and heartrending portrayal of a dog’s confusion and fear when his world is upended.