"Good Boy" - The Best Horror of 2025 Right Now. Dog-Led Film Outscores "The Conjuring 4"

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This isn't another tired story about evil spirits or cursed houses. This might be the most unusual horror of the decade (or ever) — because the entire story is shown through a dog's eyes.

You literally see the world through a camera mounted at paw level, following a dog named Indie.

Viewers are joking it's time to give the Oscar to a dog — for the most human performance of the year. What else are people saying?

Why People Love It

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film sits at 91% fresh with 125 reviews (as of October 10, 2025). That's way higher than "The Conjuring: Last Rites" (which only has 59%), and that's already a big deal: an indie film with a real dog beat out a major horror franchise.
Good Boy – Official Trailer
Critics note that the "dog cam" idea actually works:
  • Empire writes that it's a rare example of a familiar ghost story coming alive through a fresh perspective
  • Variety called the film "almost devastating in its emotionality"
  • And Sight & Sound noted it's "a thoughtful exploration of the bond between human and animal"
We wrote earlier that director Ben Leonberger, making his debut, refused to use CGI. All scenes with Indie were shot live, with the camera literally following his paws.

"Good Boy" took over a year to shoot because the dog wasn't trained — the crew adapted to his behavior.

What Viewers Are Saying

Many who've seen it write on RT that it's "the most touching film of the year":
  • Annika D: "If Indie doesn't get at least an honorary award — what's the point of awards? He did everything he could — and more"
  • Ian B: "Original and scary. 100% from a dog's perspective. And yes, stay after the credits — there's an amazing behind-the-scenes reel about filming"
  • Haze T: "This isn't horror, it's a story about how a dog experiences the death of its owner. Simple, honest, and that's what makes it scary"
Dog sits under a bed, on the right being petted outdoors
Frames from the "Good Boy" trailer
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But there are those who didn't like the film. We can't ignore these comments for the sake of objectivity:
  • AuntieA: "Not scary, not sad, not funny. Only the dog is good"
  • pina lee bausch: "Should've picked a cat"
  • c F: "What a waste of time. It's just six generations of cursed cabin dwellers — no logic, no payoff, just black goo and mounting dread"
Perhaps the most accurate comment came from a viewer named John:
If you love animals, this film will break you. Just remember — you're watching through a dog's eyes. Don't look for meaning. Feel it.
Rotten Tomatoes user John

About the Film

The story follows Todd (Shane Jensen) who moves with his dog Indie into his grandfather's (Larry Fessenden) old house. The owner doesn't believe rumors about ghosts, but the dog senses something's wrong.

When strange things start happening in the house, Indie becomes the only one who understands — something terrifying has moved into the walls. And there's only one thing left to do: protect his human, even at his own risk.

"Good Boy" is a one-of-a-kind horror film. It's horror about what it's like to be the one who can't explain what they see.

The horror definitely won't work for everyone — some will find it slow and boring. But for others, it'll be one of the most touching (and slightly scary) films of the year.

And yes, Indie the dog really deserves an Oscar. And earlier on zoomboola.com we explained why "The Conjuring: Last Rites" is a shameful end to the Warrens' story.