I wasn’t expecting to root for a dog in a horror film, but Good Boy changed that for me. Watching the movie, I found myself leaning forward, heart pounding—not because of flashy gore, but because of the way it used empathy and loyalty to build real tension. This one easily earns 4½ out of 5 stars in my book.
Here’s what hooked me: the story follows Todd, who moves into his late grandfather’s country house with his dog, Indy. It’s an old place, whispering secrets, where even the loyal dog senses something “off” before anyone else does. Indy is our point of view, and I loved how the film puts you in his paws—seeing corners of the house dark and empty, hearing sounds no one else registers, feeling that canine instinct of danger.
What I appreciated most was the restraint. There’s little blood-splatter, no cheap jump-scares, and Indy never turns into a monster. Instead, the film plays with what a dog sees, what a dog fears, and how strongly a dog loves you even when things get weird. I found that deeply moving. The visuals are slick too: camera angles at dog-eye level, shadows creeping along toward the stairs, and scenes where you realize the dog knows more than we do.
Yes, there are moments where the story feels thin. A few twists might have been clearer, and some scenes stretched longer than I felt necessary. But even when the narrative slows, Indy keeps the film alive. I kept thinking: If I were that dog, would I chase down the sound? Would I dive into the basement? And that question added layers. Critics say the concept “goes far beyond a gimmick” and that Indy almost steals the show.
If I were picking who should watch this: Teens and up who are okay with spooky vibes, unseen threats, and emotional tension more than jump scares. It’s safe for school in the sense it’s PG-13 and doesn’t rely on gratuitous violence—but it does ask you to feel, to imagine, and maybe to fear in the darkness.
Bottom line: Good Boy surprised me. It reminded me that horror doesn’t always need monsters, just the right perspective—and a very good dog.
