Ben Leonburg’s much anticipated horror film follows the perspective of Indy, a dog whose beloved owner is recuperating from a lung disease. As Indy acclimatises to his new surroundings, he begins to notice disturbances around the house and a menacing presence that may threaten his delicate, peaceful life with his master, forcing him to question just how far he is willing to go to be a good boy.
With it’s animal subject and amusing concept (not to mention it’s distribution by Shudder) it would be easy to assume this is a gimmicky horror replete with cheap jump scares and awkward humour. It’s truly admirable how much restraint and care Leonberg and co-writer Alex Cannon have brought to the film. Indy is not just a cute prop but an apt vehicle to explore the helplessness one can feel when a loved one become ill. The dog’s unquestioning loyalty but inability to understand what his owner is experiencing.
Its impossible to ascribe a great performance to an animal because of the lack of intentionality but filmmakers create a truly wonderful protagonist in Indy. He’s Expressive, lively and deeply sorrowful. Its a masterpiece of animal performance the filmmakers have achieved.
The scare sequences are subtle and unsettling with much made of shadows and stillness. Atmosphere and melancholy take priority over set pieces or jump scares. Indy occupies a dark world of decay and shadow, emphasising his soulful eyes and glossy golden coat against darkness. It’s hard not to fall in love with something so innocent and earnest.
In the third act the film does lose track of the central relationship which makes the film so arresting and the pacing drags. This is often an issue with horror films as the need for a climactic sequence compromises the nuance that made the film so engaging. But Good Boy more than delivers on it’s premise and provides an effecting exploration of illness and grief.
Four Stars