#ben leonberg

[aarontveit]

GOOD BOY | 2025 dir. Ben Leonberg

[kingofthepitt]

First Look at INDY the main actor of the horror movie GOOD BOY (2025)

[diamantdog]

One of the things that makes the horror in “Good Boy” (2025) so effective is, in other scary movies, when a character hears a mysterious sound then walks toward it while going, “Hello? Is anyone there?”, you as a viewer probably would think, “Idiot! Don’t go there!” So, when said character experiences the horror, they only have themself to blame. If only they acted smart!

But here, when Indy the dog hears a noise, he has no choice but to go toward it, because it’s in his nature as a dog. He can’t help it! He has to know what’s out there! And you as a viewer can’t see any other way! Indy is smart, and that’s why he experiences the horror.

[calvincell]

Stumbled upon the trailer for the horror movie - GOOD BOY (2025) & can’t get over how compelling & unique the premise is:

The horror genre is & always has been full of the trope of supernaturally-aware animals; the hissing cats & growling/barking dogs who consistently seem to recognize the unsettling & dangerous entities in their midst long before their owners do only to have their warnings ignored until it’s too late. Considering that aspect of the horror genre, making a supernatural horror film from the perspective of the dog desperate yet unequipped to protect his human family is a fantastic premise. IMO the vibes of the film so far feel very reminiscent of Skinamarink & speaking of that, I’m very glad for the glut of very creative horror films like it & the recent movie WEAPONS (2025); a category that GOOD BOY (2025) slots into well from what I’ve seen.

As an aside, I find it so hilarious how by making a dog the protagonist this horror films, people are already scared to death & averse to seeing it. It’s not totally unjustified since I know that so many empathic horror fans draw the line at animals especially pets getting hurt. I too love animals but (beyond a particular part of I AM LEGEND), I’ve never truly been one to be emotionally destroyed by animals or pets ending up as victims of the supernatural dangers in horror films. So for me, I definitely plan to watch GOOD BOY. Though I am dreading some tragic emotionally devastating moments that the movie potentially will have.

[iwouldbelostwithoutyou]

"You're a good dog. No. Boy, you can't save me. You gotta stay here."

Good Boy (2025) || dir. Ben Leonberg

[brokehorrorfan]

Broke Horror Fan presents Good Boy on limited edition, fully functional VHS! Our latest tape goes on sale next Tuesday, April 14, at 12pm ET/9am PT via Witter Entertainment.

The 2025 supernatural horror film arrives on VHS with two variants: a standard slipcase, and a book box edition featuring alternate artwork, a gatefold cover, and a blue tape (limited to 150).

Each tape includes exclusive introductions by writer-director Ben Leonberg and actor Larry Fessenden, plus a making-of featurette after the film.

For optimal VHS viewing, the film has been cropped from its original aspect ratio to 4:3 full frame. It is officially licensed from Shudder and RLJE Films and approved by Leonberg.

A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.

[inmediaslex]

Good Boy

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww what a lil buddy!

Oh also this movie is spooky as hell.

Between this and Steven Soderbergh’s Presence this has been a good year for experimenting in the Haunted House genre. Both of these films are about changing the perspective from which we see this film happen. Presence puts us in the Ghost’s POV (literally since the camera is the ghost) and Good Boy says “yeah but what if our main character is just a dog?” Mhm. A normal ass dog. Just a sweet baby buddy boy named Indy (In and out of universe. I imagine that made filming slightly easier)

No protag this year has been more relatable. Indy loves his human. Indy can see spookies. Indy wants to keep spookies from harming his human, but frankly the spookies aren’t the biggest problem for our human. And this movie masterfully juxtaposes Indy, who I must remind you is just a real actual practical no CGI dog, with the atmosphere of the house to make it seem like Indy’s emoting. Like he’s feeling the fear that director and Indy’s owner Ben Leonberg (in his directorial debut) wanted to make us feel. It is *extremely* effective. Throughout the film I kept saying “Aw don’t be sad, Indy,” and “stop scaring Indy!” and “Indy no!” despite the fact that Indy is, in fact, just a normal dog doing things that normal dogs do. It’s what the director puts around Indy that brings the fear.

After the credits there is a making of documentary that highlights what was actually happening on set during the terrifying scenes. It’s so astoundingly cute. There’s a truly scary scenes involving a window and on set the director was making quacking sounds and moving a toy to make Indy stare meaningfully at this window.

Best. Boy.

This release is limited and when it’s gone it gets banished to Shudder. Go watch this cute little friend do spooky friend things.

Oh and yes, he’s fine. Indy’s fine. The dog does not die.

[everythingilearned]

Good Boy (2025)