Horror movies have a long-standing tradition of putting dogs in danger, or worse, killing them off. But the new horror movie Good Boy, which just premiered at the South by Southwest Festival, flips the script and audiences are loving it.
This chilling and surprisingly heartfelt horror film is told entirely from the perspective of Indy, a devoted dog who must protect his owner from a supernatural force.
According to early reactions, it’s not just a clever gimmick, it’s one of the best horror films of the year.
Writer and director Ben Leonberg, along with co-writer Alex Cannon, set out to create something fresh in the horror genre through the eyes of man’s best friend.
The description for the film reads: “Good Boy started with a simple high concept: a haunted house film, where the main character is the family dog–and the only one who can see the forces that haunt us.
“Our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human—and best friend—Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence, perceives phantasmagoric warnings from a long-dead dog, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant’s grim death.
“When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife!”
Critics have been throwing praise at the movie for its originality, execution, and emotional depth. Austin Chronicle’s Alejandra Martinez called it “a charming twist on the haunted house movie with a soulful performance from the pup at its center.”
No Assembly Required’s Anthony Papetti said it’s “a genuine miracle of filmmaking with the utmost dedication to experimenting the craft. A terrifying yet adorable look at dogs’ unconditional love. Exciting classic haunted house energy. Indy is a bonafide star & deserves all the pets! Creative sound design & stunts.”
Critic Jon Partridge highlighted the film’s heart, saying, “A labor of love (and patience) to craft an effective haunted house movie, as well as a tribute to man’s best friend. A really creative take on a well-trod genre, with a lead that stirs the emotions and invests you like no other.”
Meanwhile, Indiewire’s Rafael Motamayor shared: “What could have easily been a cheap gimmick instead provides the foundation for one of the best horror films so far this year.
“The title of Leonberg’s debut is underselling just how much of a good boy its star really is. His fixated dark eyes and floppy ears convey a wide range of emotions that sell the horror at hand just as lucidly as they articulate the deep and unbreakable bond between Indy and Todd.”
Horror Movies Uncut’s Travis Brown summed up what makes Good Boy stand out: “Films like this remind us why we need fresh, bold storytelling and ambitious cinematography in horror.”
It’s not often that a horror movie both terrifies and tugs at the heartstrings, but it seems likeGood Boy pulls it off. By placing the audience firmly in the mind of a dog, one who sees the unseen and feels the creeping dread long before his human does, the film taps into something really cool and interesting.
I’m excited to see this movie for myself!
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