People who own dogs are usually very mindful of their pets, giving them lots of rewards and affection while considering them almost like family members. However, filmmaker Ben Leonberg went a step beyond this. He cast his own dog, Indy, as the main character in a full-length horror movie. The attractive retriever seizes the opportunity and demonstrates his acting prowess in “Good Boy“, making its global debut in the Midnighter section at SXSW.
This project aims to stand out in the horror genre, which is quite crowded, by employing an innovative concept – unlike the popular found-footage style made famous by movies such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity.” However, this particular film, spanning three years, may not have the same impact, except perhaps for dedicated dog enthusiasts. It’s unlikely that it will start a new trend, and even the snobbish cats might find it unappealing.
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This horror project aspires to distinguish itself from the crowded genre by using an innovative concept, like how found-footage was popularized by movies such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity.” While this film was shot over three years, it might not have the same impact, except maybe for hardcore dog lovers. It’s doubtful that it will spark a new trend, and even the most sophisticated cats might find it uninteresting.
In essence, “Good Boy” maintains a suitable level of tension while keeping its narrative tight within a 73-minute timespan. The narrative is primarily seen through the eyes of the canine protagonist, Indy. In case you ever find yourself in a bind, he’s the kind of dog that you’d want by your side.
Without a doubt, Indy, the central character’s companion, is essential to him, Todd (played by Shane Jensen). In the first scene, we see Todd grappling with an unnamed medical emergency that’s severe enough for him to consider moving to a dilapidated rural home, inherited from his grandfather, and bringing Indy along.
Upon their late-night arrival during a heavy downpour (quite naturally), it swiftly becomes clear that something peculiar is unfolding. To Indy, this became evident as he noticed a shrouded figure standing behind the car, a sight that piqued his curiosity. Initially reluctant to leave the safety of the vehicle, Indy demonstrated a level of caution that is typically missing in humans found in horror movie scenarios when Todd tried to persuade him otherwise.
The early stages of mysterious occurrences are unfolding, with Indy being the only one sensing it. He observes what appears to be another dog in the house, or perhaps a spectral one, causing him great unease. Strange sounds echo and bizarre visions appear, and at one point, the spirit of Todd’s deceased grandfather from the house (portrayed by horror film veteran Larry Fessenden, lending an immediate sense of authenticity to the story).
Indy avoids taking walks near the family cemetery of his owner, as it holds the graves of relatives who passed away prematurely. Todd remarks on this, seemingly unaware that it could be an unfavorable sign for his future. (And we certainly hope not!)
In the film directed by Leonberg and co-written with Alex Cannon, the director doesn’t shy away from classic horror scare tactics like the false alarm where Indy encounters a scary forest creature that turns out to be a hunter disguised in camouflage. However, for the most part, he sticks to the main storyline, even though the unusual occurrences depicted in the film are often vague and lack concrete details. Given that the narrative is solely told from Indy’s limited perspective, this stylistic decision makes sense. It’s worth noting that the dog in this movie is remarkably intelligent compared to most human characters in horror films who tend to make questionable decisions.
The film’s emotional impact is primarily driven by Indiana’s unwavering devotion to his cherished owner and his readiness to go to extraordinary lengths to safeguard him. Despite Todd, who under the influence of his illness and the haunting presence in the house, treats him poorly at times – even going so far as to chain him outside, making Indiana alarmingly exposed to potential dangers.
As a dedicated fan, I must commend “Good Boy” for its authenticity, which is a clear reflection of Leonberg’s exceptional canine training skills, along with his wife, Kari Fischer, the film’s producer. Their innovative methods managed to elicit such convincing fear from their dog that he would have been an immediate contender for a PATSY Award, had such recognition for animal performers not become obsolete.
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2025-03-09 07:54