There's a new horror movie coming out where a dog is the main character - and your immediate concerns after reading that are echoed across the world.
Good Boy, the feature directorial debut of Ben Leonberg, has been generating serious buzz since its first trailer dropped on August 18, 2025.
The supernatural horror centers on Todd (played by Shane Jensen) and his loyal dog Indy, who move into a rural farmhouse.
But while Todd is blissfully unaware of the evil forces lurking inside, Indy sees what he cannot — and must find a way to protect his human companion.
The official synopsis reads: "Unable to communicate his fears to Todd, Indy must confront and understand the malevolent forces threatening his owner. As the supernatural activity escalates, the dog's loyalty is put to the ultimate test in a desperate attempt to protect his human companion."
The concept alone — a haunted house movie told entirely from a dog’s perspective — has already captured the internet’s imagination.
Since the trailer dropped, Google searches for “does the dog die in Good Boy” skyrocketed by 2000%, with concerned fans hoping to avoid yet another heartbreaking cinematic pet death in the tradition of I Am Legend or John Wick, per ScreenRant.
Fortunately, those who caught the film at its world premiere during the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival can breathe easier: Indy the dog does not die.
In fact, critics hailed his performance, with reviewer Michael Ward calling it “one of the greatest animal actor performances of all time.” Indy even won the festival’s first-ever Howl of Fame award.
The trailer itself begins innocently enough, with cheerful scenes of Todd and Indy playing together, before taking a sinister turn around the 16-second mark.
From there, the mood grows darker with shadowy figures, eerie noises, and a blood-curdling scream — all filtered through Indy’s perspective. That unique framing, many critics argue, makes the terror feel even more intense.
Critics have already showered the film with praise. Good Boy boasts a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reviews describing it as spooky, unnerving, and surprisingly heartfelt.
The cast alongside Jensen includes Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden, and Stuart Rudin. But make no mistake: Indy is the star.
Since the trailer’s release, it has already racked up more than 474,000 views, with horror enthusiasts and dog lovers alike eagerly awaiting its full release.
Good Boy officially hits theaters on Friday, October 3, 2025 — and based on the hype, it may be one of the year’s biggest cult horror hits.