Horror Film Is Told Entirely from Dog’s POV (Exclusive)

A spooky tale is told from the perspective of a pet dog in this new spin on the haunted house movie.

PEOPLE is exclusively debuting the first trailer for Good Boy, director Ben Leonberg’s indie horror film that was picked up by IFC and Shudder after its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival in March.

Indy, the canine and leading star of Good Boy, won the first-ever “Howl of Fame” award at SXSW for his performance.

The festival’s jury said in its announcement at the time, “Through a uniquely authentic perspective in the horror genre, this goodest boy delivers a performance that is both natural and chilling.”

“His responses to unseen phenomena transform everyday domestic spaces into realms of suspense and terror. Indy and his humans remind us even when darkness threatens to consume us, a faithful dog’s love knows no bounds.”

Good Boy follows Indy as his owner Todd “moves them both from the city to a long-vacant family home in the countryside,” per a synopsis.

“Soon after moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant’s grim death.”

The logline adds that Indy “must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife.”

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Director Leonberg previously told Filmmaker Magazine, “This isn’t Air Bud or Lassie, where the dog is always happy-go-lucky, clearly acting for food or listening to an off-camera trainer.”

“My goal was to have Indy behave and act realistically — or as realistically as possible, given the film’s supernatural events. He’s not imbued with a voice nor directed by abstract thought, but by instinct, sensation and simple reasoning.”

Good Boy is in theaters Oct. 3.