Dogs have long had a presence in horror movies, but it doesn’t always turn out so well for them. Think Lester in Halloween, murdered early in Michael Myers’ spree, or the title character in Cujo, bitten by a rabid bat and transformed into a monster. But the tables turn in Good Boy, a new film starring director and co-writer Ben Leonberg’s actual pet, Indy. In the first trailer, not only do we get some adorable puppy footage, but we also get a taste of Indy’s canine acting skills, as he plays a pup who accompanies his owner (Shane Jensen) to a haunted house.
The Oscar race begins now! Though Good Boy is clearly structured around a gimmick, you can tell just from that trailer that it will offer plenty of suspense and terror even while telling the entire story from the dog’s point of view. We also have an instantly sympathetic protagonist, if furrier than most, and what looks like a gripping mystery the audience and Indy will sniff through together.
Here’s the official synopsis: “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.”
Good Boy also stars Arielle Freeman and indie horror stalwart Larry Fessenden; it hits theaters October 3.