Good Boy made its debut at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 10, 2025, where it was met with strong early reviews. Now, the film’s first trailer has dropped, and it’s already sparking plenty of buzz.
The American supernatural horror is directed by Ben Leonberg, marking his first time at the helm of a feature-length movie.
Set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, the project offers a fresh twist on the classic haunted house story, this time told through the eyes of a dog. Leonberg co-wrote the script with Alex Cannon, and the unusual perspective is what’s setting the film apart from other horror releases. You can watch the trailer below.
From the trailer alone, it’s clear that audiences are already hooked, and not just by the scares.
Viewers seem deeply invested in the dog’s fate, with many determined to see the film simply to find out whether the four-legged protagonist makes it through the terrifying ordeal alive, an outcome that will impact their review of the film many movie/dog lovers caution.
After losing a loved one, Todd (Shane Jensen) moves into his late grandfather’s (Larry Fessenden) creaky old farmhouse, hoping for a fresh start. Locals whisper that the place is haunted, but Todd shrugs off the rumors. His dog, Indy, isn’t so easily convinced. Almost immediately, Indy begins noticing unsettling, otherworldly figures lurking in the shadows, phantoms invisible to Todd but terrifyingly real to him.
Trapped by his inability to warn his owner, Indy is forced to face the sinister entities alone, piecing together their dark intentions before it’s too late. As the ghostly presence grows more violent, Indy’s unshakable loyalty drives him into a harrowing fight to shield Todd, proving that sometimes the bravest protector isn’t human at all.
The cast brings together a mix of seasoned talent and fresh faces, with Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Shane Jensen, and Stuart Rudin all set to appear. Stealing the spotlight, however, is director Ben Leonberg’s own dog, Indy, who takes on the titular role.
Good Boy sets itself apart with a striking visual style, frequently shooting from the dog’s eye level to fully immerse viewers in Indy’s world.
Running a tight 72 minutes, the film was shot on location in upstate New York, giving it an eerie, authentic atmosphere.
After its SXSW debut, the movie is already riding high with a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on the first 20 critic reviews, an impressive start for a supernatural horror told through a canine lens.