A film that showcases impressive craft as well as a breakout star
For all of us who have ever had a four legged friend, we know all too well those comical, confusing, and sometimes unsettling moments when they seem to be reacting to something that isn’t there. Staring into a corner, growling at a closet, or hiding from something that we just cannot see or make sense of. Familiar to so many, it’s surprising that fully translating this onto the big screen hasn’t happened already. Enter Ben Leonberg and his trusty dog Indy to deliver a brilliantly creative take on the haunted house genre.
Indy knows something his owner Todd (played by Shane Jensen & Leonberg) doesn’t. That something dark lingers at the periphery of their lives. After recovering from a bout of illness, Todd drags his canine companion out into the wilderness to move into the dilapidated home left to him by his recently deceased grandfather (Larry Fessenden). Todd’s sister Vera (Arielle Friedman) is concerned that isolation isn’t best for his rehabilitation, but they’re not alone. Indy is all too aware that this force has followed them out to the house. As the presence starts to manifest itself more strongly, Todd gets weaker and starts to succumb to a recurrence of his illness, leaving Indy alone with this force that threatens them both.
The dog perspective is a fantastic device to leverage into horror. Indy does those things that dogs do, staring into dark corners, refusing to go into certain rooms, or barking at unseen threats. This is in addition to the affable activities you’d expect. It’s an emotive performance that would put many of our A-listers to shame. More than a gimmick, channeling things through the dog’s perspective and reactions only amplify events as they unfold.
The film is beautifully lit and smartly shot, leveraging shadows and reflective elements, as well as standout sound design to build genuine tension and afford a few effective jump scares. Indy’s dreams explore more abstract imagery, including an echo of the previous dog who lived in the house. It’s compelling fare, leaving you truly invested in his experience. From the tiniest whimper to more intense sequences as he jumps through windows or charges into a forest you know is laced with animal traps. The camera panning at dog height adding to the immersion. The tilts into action feel a little at odds with the overall tone of the film, but do a good job of adding energy and impetus as the concept enters its endgame. A little more problematic is how underdeveloped Todd is. Dialing back the human element to allow the canine component to come to the fore is understandable, but the film feels like it has the capacity to handle both. There are also conversations and old home videos being played seem to allude to Todd’s grandfather befalling a similar fate, but this inherited curse aspect is glossed over, missing another opportunity to add a little depth and intrigue.
These issues aside, Good Boy is a treat for fans of the haunted house genre. The script from Leonberg and co-writer Alex Cannon breaks conventions, not in an edgy way, but in one that is immediately resonant to us. Leonberg, alongside his real life partner/producer Kari Fischer patiently spent 3 years and over 400 days of shooting to wrangle Indy and the footage they captured or randomly ended up with into a captivating narrative. The result is a film packed with charm, creativity, and enough classic horror elements to put you on the edge of your seat. All this while serving as an admirable tribute to man’s best friend.
