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The year 2025 proved to be a stellar one for horror films, showcasing a wide range from body horror to creature features and psychological thrillers. Among these, one film that truly captured the audience’s imagination was “Good Boy,” a unique horror story from the perspective of a dog witnessing supernatural events. The film received critical acclaim, boasting a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and even caught the attention of Stephen King. The legendary horror author, known for masterpieces like “It,” “The Shining,” and “Carrie,” shared his admiration on BlueSky on January 9, stating, “Ben Leonberg’s short and rather wonderful movie, ‘GOOD BOY,’ is shot from the dog’s perspective. It works.”
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“Good Boy” follows the story of Todd, played by Shane Jensen, who relocates to a secluded farm with his loyal dog, Indy, as he battles a chronic lung disease. As Todd’s health declines, Indy becomes a witness to bizarre apparitions and eerie happenings around the farm. Ever the devoted companion, Indy takes extraordinary measures to protect his owner. For those hesitant to watch due to concern for Indy’s fate, rest assured that the film concludes on a note you will find satisfying.
The film garnered widespread praise for its blend of fear and emotion, with particular acclaim directed towards Indy, whose performance is captivating. Director and co-writer Ben Leonberg shared that the production of “Good Boy” spanned over three years, involving 400 shooting days. This extended timeline was due to the limited hours Indy could work each day to avoid stress, a decision that paid off handsomely, earning Indy rewards far beyond Milk-Bones.
Indy made history by clinching the Astra Award for best performance in a horror or thriller, triumphing over talented actors such as Alison Brie for “Together,” Sally Hawkins for “Bring Her Back,” and Ethan Hawke for “Black Phone 2.” This accolade marks the first time an animal has won a major acting award typically reserved for humans, a remarkable feat considering Indy remains blissfully unaware of his stardom in one of 2025’s top horror films.
Indy from Good Boy is now an award-winning actor
IFC/Shudder
As for what’s next for Indy, the future is open-ended. Director Leonberg expressed interest in future animal-centric projects during a Reddit AMA, stating, “I’m very excited for my next film to have human actors (who can read a script and won’t wander off set to chase squirrels) but I do think I’ll return to animal storytelling at some point in the future.” At the very least, fans are hopeful Indy might make a cameo in Leonberg’s next venture.
Indy won the Astra Award for best performance in a horror or thriller, besting phenomenal talent like Alison Brie for “Together,” Sally Hawkins for “Bring Her Back,” and Ethan Hawke for “Black Phone 2.” This makes Indy the first animal ever to win a major acting award intended for humans. Not too bad considering Indy has no idea he’s the star of one of 2025’s best horror films.
What’s next for Indy? That remains to be seen, but Leonberg is open to another animal-centric project down the line, revealing in a Reddit AMA: “I’m very excited for my next film to have human actors (who can read a script and won’t wander off set to chase squirrels) but I do think I’ll return to animal storytelling at some point in the future.” If nothing else, Indy should definitely have a cameo in his next movie.
