PopHorror Let's Get Scared
You better trust his instincts.
PopHorror takes a look at the new doggone supernatural thriller, Good Boy. I cannot express in words how excited I was for this film. The concept alone is brilliant and refreshingly unique. It offers a horror experience from the perspective of one of our lovable furry family members, making you wonder what else your pets might be witnessing that you’re unaware of.
Good Boy follows Indy, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, as he strives to save his owner from supernatural forces only he can perceive.
The atmosphere in Good Boy is tense and chilling. There aren’t really any jump scares, but the film maintains a constant edge-of-your-seat feeling. It not only delivers a chilling ambiance but also evokes deep emotional responses.
The story follows Indy’s owner, Todd, as he falls gravely ill with an unknown sickness. In an attempt to escape their troubles, the man and his dog retreat to Todd’s grandfather’s house, which he inherited after his grandfather’s own mysterious death. We soon learn that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this home… it is full of unwanted and unwelcome guests.
Indy begins to see shadows and figures and starts experiencing nightmares. Fun fact: it’s true that dogs can have nightmares and have a hard time falling asleep when they are worried about something, just like humans.
The next part of the review contains spoilers!
We soon learn that when Todd’s grandfather died, he shared a strong bond with his own golden retriever, Bandit. However, Bandit was never found after the old man passed away. While home alone, Indy discovers Bandit’s collar and bandana, guided by Bandit’s ghost to uncover the truth about what happened to both the grandfather and himself. Indy sees that something dangerous and supernatural killed Todd’s grandfather and then went after Bandit next. We don’t see Bandit get killed… all we see is blood splatter on his bandana and collar. It’s not until near the end of the film that we see Bandit’s skeleton in the cellar.
The ending of the film is quite heartbreaking. While Indy survives, Todd does not. His last words to Indy before he passes are, “You’re a good dog, but you can’t save me.” I’ll admit, I was crying my eyes outwatching this scene. Although the ending is sad, it carries a sense of hope as Indy leaves with Todd’s sister to continue his life.
Director and writer Ben Leonberg said he intended on keeping Indy alive as that’s his actual dog and he didn’t have the heart to kill him off in the film.
The idea behind Good Boy is truly remarkable. I believe more filmmakers should explore the concept of creating horror films from an animal’s perspective. Can we get an edit of Alien (1979) from the POV of Jonesy the cat, please? The emotions Indy conveys are incredible; you can truly feel his fear and anxiety. The concept of witnessing something threatening that you can’t fight serves as a poignant metaphor for the illness Todd faces, effectively showcasing the helplessness we experience with circumstances beyond our control. I highly recommend seeing Good Boy. You won’t regret it!
Indy has even written a letter to the Academy Awards, advocating for animals to be nominated for Oscars. I genuinely hope he receives a nomination. With those puppy-dog eyes, he’s a guaranteed winner.
