The Verdict
"Good Boyis a visually striking, emotionally devastating horror film that eschews genre conventions to deliver a uniquely haunting and conceptually ambitious experience."
"While narratively slim,Good Boyis a rare, bone-chilling treat -- an emotionally resonant horror movie with a slobberingly fresh point of view."
Movie Review and Other Insights
Good Boy is a visionary Horror, Mystery & Thriller film directed by the acclaimed Ben Leonberg (Kari Fischer). Released in theaters on Oct 3, 2025, Wide, this cinematic experience offers a fresh take on the classic narrative. Produced by What's Wrong With Your Dog? and distributed by Independent Film Company, the film features a runtime of 1h 13m.
The story follows our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner--and best friend--Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, 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. Leading the cast are star performers Ben Leonberg, Larry Fessenden, Shane Jensen, who bring depth and intensity to their roles.
Rated PG-13 for Terror|Strong Language|Bloody Images, Good Boy delivers a audio experience presented in a aspect ratio. Critics have praised the film, stating: "Good Boyis a visually striking, emotionally devastating horror film that eschews genre conventions to deliver a uniquely haunting and conceptually ambitious experience."
Images
Cast & Crew
Critic Reviews
"So come on, throw ‘Good Boy’ a bone. For 73 tense, terrifying minutes, the audience is one with a dog who knows what we can’t. Stick with this pup if you’re looking for horror with heart this Halloween and beyond."
"The story itself is relatively slim, but the picture manages to be both hair-raising and heartbreaking."
"The central star-making performance in this haunted house horror is worth the price of admission."
"Good Boy isn’t a great horror movie. It’s got a core of sadness, though, that is hard to leave behind."
"There are a couple of shocks there that over-explain what isn't happening, but it's worth it take a look at it. [Full review in Spanish]"
"Good Boy is a quietly creepy tale with a genuinely involving and emotionally affecting central premise, and it’s that which really sets it apart from similar films, particularly by the end."
Audience Reviews
Creative and entertaining! Loved to learn how it was made at the end!
Heart felt horror! Chills ya to the bone!
good family movie .. when a faithful dog battles the angel of death!
The dogs acting was phenomenal!! Loved that Goodboy, hope he wins so many awards! Was so entertaining , felt like I was watching a movie based off an old novel like the monkey paw
Good start but bad ending
Best performance of the year
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Good Boy released?
Good Boy hit theaters on Oct 3, 2025, Wide. It became available for streaming on Oct 24, 2025.
How long is the movie and what is the genre?
The film has a runtime of 1h 13m. It falls under the Horror, Mystery & Thriller genre, featuring a sound mix in .
Who is the director of Good Boy?
The movie is directed by Ben Leonberg. The script was penned by Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg.
Who are the main actors in Good Boy?
The top billed cast includes:
- Ben Leonberg as Director
- Larry Fessenden as Grandpa
- Shane Jensen as Todd
- Arielle Friedman as Actor
- Stuart Rudin as Actor
Why is Good Boy rated PG-13?
It is rated PG-13 (Terror|Strong Language|Bloody Images)
Which studio produced the movie?
Good Boy was produced by What's Wrong With Your Dog? and distributed worldwide by Independent Film Company.
About the movie
NEWOur canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner--and best friend--Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, 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.
- Director
- Ben Leonberg
- Producers
- Kari Fischer, Ben Leonberg
- Screenwriter
- Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
- Distributor
- Independent Film Company
- Production
- What's Wrong With Your Dog?
- Genre
- Horror, Mystery & Thriller
- Release Date
- Oct 3, 2025, Wide
- Run Time
- 1h 13m
- Rating
- PG-13