The 2025 film landscape featured a standout horror movie that captured audiences and critics alike through a unique perspective—that of a courageous dog confronting the supernatural. Stephen King horror movie fans found a new favorite in Good Boy, which earned praise not only from viewers but also from King himself, who highlighted the film’s compelling storytelling approach.
A Horror Story Seen Through a Dog’s Eyes
Good Boy centers on Todd, portrayed by Shane Jensen, a man grappling with chronic lung disease who relocates to a remote farm accompanied by his dog, Indy, playing himself. As Todd’s health declines, Indy observes eerie and otherworldly events threatening their safety. The dog’s loyal efforts to protect Todd form the emotional core of the movie, blending supernatural scares with heartfelt moments. Viewers wary about the dog’s fate can be reassured that Indy’s story concludes on a satisfying note.
Indy’s Performance Earns Historic Recognition
The film garnered widespread acclaim for its balance of suspense and emotional depth, with a substantial share of the credit going to Indy’s captivating presence. Ben Leonberg, the film’s director and co-writer, revealed that production spanned more than three years and 400 days since filming with Indy was limited to brief sessions each day to avoid stressing the dog. The time invested paid off when Indy won the Astra Award for best horror or thriller performance, surpassing well-known actors such as Alison Brie for Together, Sally Hawkins for Bring Her Back, and Ethan Hawke for Black Phone 2. This achievement makes Indy the first animal to receive a major acting award typically reserved for human performers.
Future Prospects for Indy and the Filmmaker
Ben Leonberg expressed enthusiasm about returning to projects featuring human actors, joking about their ability to follow scripts and stay on set more reliably than animals. However, he also indicated a strong likelihood of revisiting animal-centered storytelling, sharing in a Reddit AMA,
“I’m very excited for my next film to have human actors (who can read a script and won’t wander off set to chase squirrels) but I do think I’ll return to animal storytelling at some point in the future.”
This suggests Indy’s unique talents might shine in future roles or cameos, continuing to bridge the gap between horror and heartfelt loyalty in cinema.
Good Boy showcases a fresh direction in the Stephen King horror movie arena by offering a dog’s perspective amid supernatural peril, earning significant praise and setting new standards for animal actors. Its critical success and King’s endorsement promise that films combining inventive storytelling with emotional resonance will continue to grow in popularity.
Hi /r/movies! It's Ben Leonberg (director) and I'm here with my dog Indy, the star of GOOD BOY, a supernatural horror movie from the perspective of a dog, which will be available to stream on Shudder Nov. 21st. Ask us anything!
byu/GoodBoyAMA inmovies
