Ever catch your dog staring into the corner, barking at shadows, or refusing to budge while seemingly petrified at “something” that isn’t there? The upcoming paranormal thriller Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonberg, who co-wrote the film with Alex Cannon, plays into that primal unease, spinning a nightmare from the idea that maybe — just maybe — your dog really does see what lurks in the dark and is the only one who senses that your house is haunted.
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.”
Leonberg stated, “Stephen King–one of my biggest horror inspirations–often says he gets his ideas from ‘what if’ scenarios: Back in 2012, while revisiting the opening of Poltergeist, a ‘what if’ struck me that I couldn’t shake: What if the family dog was the only one who knew the house was haunted?”
The result of this query is a paranormal thriller experience through the perspective of man’s best friend and trusted companion, thrust into utterly terrifying circumstances with a primary goal — to protect its human.
“At its core, Good Boy is more than a paranormal thriller — it’s a story about confronting a darkness so universal it transcends species, and the terrifying question of what might happen when even our most loyal protector senses something we cannot?” says Leonberg.
Independent Film Company (IFC) and Shudder are set to release Good Boy in theaters on October 3, 2025. I’ll be headed to Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse for a special Early Access screening a few days ahead of the film’s wide release. It’s not too late to get early access tickets. View show times and advance screenings in your area now.
