Good Boy: The Dog's-Eye-View Horror Hit Lands on Shudder!

Forget human protagonists! Ben Leonberg's critically acclaimed horror film, Good Boy, which tells its terrifying story entirely from a dog's perspective, is now available to stream on Shudder.

TL;DR

• Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonberg and starring his own dog Indy, offers a unique horror experience from a canine's point of view.
• The film debuted to strong critical reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and surprising box office success, grossing over $8.5 million worldwide against a modest budget.
• It's now streaming on Shudder as of November 21, 2025, bringing its unique blend of scares and heartfelt loyalty to a wider audience.

Ever Wondered What Your Pet Sees When They Stare at an Empty Corner?

That unsettling moment when your dog suddenly fixes its gaze on an apparently blank wall, perhaps letting out a low growl or a nervous whine? It's a feeling many pet owners know all too well, a hint that our furry friends might be clued into something beyond our human senses. Director Ben Leonberg taps into that exact eerie sensation with his debut feature, Good Boy, a horror movie that dares to tell its entire haunted house story through the eyes (and paws) of a loyal dog.

This innovative approach made Good Boy a festival darling and a surprising box office success, and now, it's bringing its unique blend of scares and heartwarming loyalty straight to your living room. Get ready to curl up with your own four-legged companion and see the world from Indy’s perspective, because Good Boy started streaming on Shudder on November 21, 2025.

The Bark of Inspiration: How This Unique Canine Horror Story Came to Be

The genesis of Good Boy actually harks back to another classic horror film and its astute canine observer. Leonberg shared his inspiration, recalling a pivotal scene from the iconic 1982 movie, Poltergeist. "I was watching Poltergeist probably for the millionth time, and if you remember, that film starts with the golden retriever wandering around the house, clearly clued in that something haunting is going on before the humans have realized it," Leonberg explained in an interview. Source: [io9, The Director of ‘Good Boy’ on Creating Horror From a Dog’s Point of View, published earlier this year (date not specified, but article dated Nov 10, 2025)].

That observation sparked a brilliant "what if" for Leonberg: what if an entire horror story could be built around that canine intuition? Co-written with Alex Cannon, Good Boy imagines the "shoe being on the other foot," focusing on a dog sensing an invisible, dark force growing closer, even as his human remains oblivious.

Meet the Unlikely Star: Indy's Unconventional Journey to the Silver Screen

The true breakout star of Good Boy isn't a seasoned Hollywood actor, but Indy, Ben Leonberg's very own Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. Described as a "middle-aged, 35-pound retriever who has no idea that he’s a movie star," Indy's favorite things are, predictably, fetch, food, and his humans (in that order). Source: [Polygon, 'Good Boy' Brings Its Horrors and Canine Heroics to Shudder Next Week, Published November 10, 2025]. This "nepo puppy" (as Polygon playfully dubbed him) is truly playing himself, bringing an undeniable authenticity to the role.

However, filming an entire feature film with an untrained family pet, no matter how adorable, was no walk in the park. Production stretched over three years, with a staggering 400 days dedicated solely to working with Indy. Leonberg and his wife, Kari Fischer (who also produced the film), even adapted their own home and acted as stand-ins to accommodate Indy's unpredictable schedule. The first challenge? Getting Indy to understand that the camera wasn't a toy to interact with, often leading to pauses when his wet nose made contact with the lens. Source: [JoBlo, When will Good Boy start streaming on Shudder?, Posted 10 hours ago from article dated Nov 10, 2025].

Seeing Through Canine Eyes: Crafting a Unique Horror Perspective

The film's commitment to Indy's perspective goes beyond just having him as the lead. The camera is almost consistently at his eye level, offering viewers a truly "nose-to-the-ground" view of the unfolding horror. This visual choice means we rarely see the human characters' faces in full, keeping the focus squarely on Indy's reactions and experiences.

Furthermore, to avoid distracting or confusing Indy, there was no actual dialogue spoken on set; all human voiceovers were added in post-production. This technical decision, combined with Indy's natural, unadorned expressions, inadvertently creates what is known as the Kuleshov effect. His wide-eyed, neutral gaze forces the audience to project their own understanding and fear onto what he's perceiving, making his reactions even more unsettling and relatable.

From Festival Buzz to Box Office Triumph: A Surprising Success Story

Good Boy made its initial splash at the South by Southwest Festival on March 8, 2025, where it garnered a perfect score from critics. The trailer quickly went viral, racking up over a million views in just 24 hours. This immediate buzz prompted IFC Films to switch from a limited release to a wide theatrical run starting October 3, 2025. Source: [CBR, One of the Best Horror Movies of the Year Is Finally Heading to Streaming, Published Nov 10, 2025].

The strategy paid off handsomely. On a reported budget of approximately $750,000, Good Boy fetched over $8.5 million worldwide at the box office. Source: [ScreenRant, Good Boy's Streaming Release Date Has Now Been Revealed, Published Nov 10, 2025]. This incredible return on investment places it firmly as the second-highest-grossing Shudder-distributed movie ever, trailing only 2023's Late Night with the Devil.

More Than Just a Ghost Story: Unpacking Deeper Themes

While pitched as a haunted house story, Good Boy delves into surprisingly profound emotional depths. The plot sees Indy and his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), moving into Todd's grandfather's long-empty cabin in rural New Jersey as Todd battles a chronic lung disease. Indy quickly senses a malevolent, invisible presence, receiving warnings from a "long-dead dog" and experiencing nightmarish visions. As Todd succumbs to the dark influence, Indy must fight to protect his best friend.

The film cleverly layers its horror with themes of grief, family strain, and the terrifying progression of illness. Todd's sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman), expresses valid concerns about his health and his choice to move to the ominous cabin. Some interpretations suggest the shadowy figure Indy perceives isn't just a ghost, but a metaphor for Todd's illness itself, or even death. This adds a heartbreaking layer, placing the audience in the "paws" of a devoted pet helplessly watching a loved one suffer from something they cannot fully grasp or defeat. It’s a powerful exploration of loyalty, even when faced with cruelty born of fear and pain.

Critical Acclaim and Nuanced Praises: What Reviewers Loved (and Questioned)

Good Boy wasn't just a commercial hit; it was a critical darling too. It currently boasts an impressive 90% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 82% on the Popcornmeter. Critics hailed it as "a visually striking, emotionally devastating horror film that eschews genre conventions to deliver a uniquely haunting and conceptually ambitious experience." Source: [CBR, One of the Best Horror Movies of the Year Is Finally Heading to Streaming, Published Nov 10, 2025]. Reviewers praised its strong atmosphere, surprisingly emotional elements, and its successful subversion of typical horror tropes.

"Leonberg crafts a thoughtful, unnerving, and heartrending portrayal of how utterly terrifying it can be for a dog when his whole world is upended and he’s unable to understand why."

— Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting. Source: [Bloody Disgusting, Dog Centered Horror Film ‘Good Boy’ Has Fetched a Shudder Release Date, Published Nov 10, 2025].

However, the film wasn't without its minor critiques. Some reviewers, while praising the film's originality, noted that the human lead could feel "underwritten" and that the film sometimes relied on an "over-reliance on jump scares." Source: [ScreenRant, Good Boy's Streaming Release Date Has Now Been Revealed, Published Nov 10, 2025]. Others felt that despite its lean 73-minute runtime, the pacing could occasionally feel long due to the dog's observational perspective, wishing for "more meat on the narrative bone." These points, however, often acknowledge the inherent trade-offs when committing so fully to a non-verbal protagonist.

Counterpoint: The intentional focus on Indy's perspective inherently limits human dialogue and character development. The film’s strengths lie in how it builds tension through the dog's limited understanding and instinct, rather than traditional human-centric horror exposition. The pacing, though deliberate, reinforces Indy's helplessness and confusion, a core emotional anchor of the film.

Addressing the Age-Old Canine Horror Question: Will the Dog Be Okay?

Perhaps the most common question among horror fans, especially pet owners, when a dog features prominently in a scary movie is: "Does the dog die?" This trope, often used for emotional impact, can be a major deterrent for squeamish viewers. Ben Leonberg directly addressed this concern, confirming that Indy, our beloved canine hero, does not die in Good Boy. Source: [Daily Emerald, Man’s best friend and a ghost’s worst enemy, Published Nov 4, 2025]. This deliberate choice allows viewers to fully invest in Indy's struggle without the constant dread of his demise, focusing instead on his unwavering loyalty and courage.

Example: A Familiar Fear in a New Light

Imagine coming home to find your usually calm golden retriever pacing nervously, its nose pressed against the back of the sofa, letting out soft, guttural growls at something you can't see. You try to soothe them, but their attention is fixed, their ears twitching as if listening to an unseen whisper. This is the everyday anxiety Good Boy magnifies, transforming a common pet behavior into a deeply personal, terrifying experience for both Indy and the viewer.

The Loyal Heart: Why Indy's Story Resonates Deeply

Ultimately, Good Boy isn't just a clever horror gimmick; it's a testament to the profound bond between humans and their pets. It highlights the unique ways animals perceive the world and their unconditional love. With its PG-13 rating (for terror, bloody images, and strong language), it's accessible to a wider audience, offering a chilling yet heartfelt experience.

Practical Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night:

• Unique Perspective: Prepare for a truly fresh take on the haunted house genre, told entirely through the eyes of a dog.
• Emotional Depth: Expect more than just jump scares; the film explores themes of loyalty, illness, and the unspoken bond with pets.
• Real-Life Star: Appreciate the authentic performance of Indy, the director's untrained family dog, which adds an unparalleled charm.
• Critically Approved: Go in knowing it's backed by strong reviews and audience scores, promising a quality viewing experience.
• Perfect for Pet Lovers: Watch it with your own dog (or cat!) by your side to share in the unique tension and emotional journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Good Boy When can I stream Good Boy?

Good Boy began streaming on Shudder on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Where can I watch Good Boy?

The film is available on Shudder in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It also had a digital release a couple of weeks after its October 3rd theatrical run, so it may be available for rent/purchase on other platforms like Amazon Prime as well.

What is Good Boy rated and what is its runtime?

Good Boy is rated PG-13 for terror, bloody images, and strong language. It has a runtime of 73 minutes.

Does the dog die in Good Boy?

No, director Ben Leonberg has confirmed that the dog, Indy, does not die in the movie.

Sources

• io9, "Good Boy" Brings Its Horrors and Canine Heroics to Shudder Next Week, Cheryl Eddy, November 10, 2025.
• Polygon, "Good Boy" Brings Its Horrors and Canine Heroics to Shudder Next Week, November 10, 2025.
• Jeffrey Lyles, Movie Review: Good Boy, Jeffrey Lyles, November 8, 2025.
• Bloody Disgusting, Dog Centered Horror Film "Good Boy" Has Fetched a Shudder Release Date, Kelli Marchman McNeely, November 10, 2025.
• ComicBook.com, 2025’s Most Unique Horror Movie, Good Boy, Gets a Shudder Streaming Date, November 10, 2025.
• ScreenRant, Good Boy's Streaming Release Date Has Now Been Revealed, November 10, 2025.
• JoBlo, When will Good Boy start streaming on Shudder?, Cody Hamman, November 10, 2025.
• CBR, One of the Best Horror Movies of the Year Is Finally Heading to Streaming, November 10, 2025.
• Daily Emerald, Man’s best friend and a ghost’s worst enemy, Amelia Fiore, November 4, 2025.