He fed me this morning and ruffled my ears.
I licked at his face, and it tasted like tears.
He packed up and moved for the first time in years,
But I love him.

The new place is dusty; he gave me a tour,
And when it gets dark, from behind the closed door,
I hear things, like… crying? It’s hard to be sure,
But I love him.

I’m getting this feeling that something’s not right:
The coughing continues long into the night.
He hugged me a while and a little too tight,
But I love him.

My ears could use ruffling, my bowl needs a fill.
The house has a definite desolate chill.
He’s not waking up; I’m not sure if he will,
But I love him.
_____________________

MPA rating: PG-13 (brief language, intense scary moments)

While it might be tempting to write off a horror film built on a gimmick, it all depends on how well it delivers on said gimmick, and it’s a treat when it does. Good Boy made some waves last year as “the scary movie with the dog,” even landing a historic acting nomination and win for its canine star Indy at the Astra Film Awards. It’s a credit to animal actors in general, though I would say that performance owes more to the direction and editing than the dog himself.

If you’ve ever joked or wondered about your pet reacting to the supernatural as an explanation for odd behavior, Good Boy takes that idea and runs into the dark cellar with it. A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Indy belongs to first-time director Ben Leonberg in real life and to the ailing Todd (Shane Jensen) in the film, who deals with an unspecified lung disease by moving into his grandfather’s abandoned house in the woods. While Todd, his face always out of camerashot since everything is from Indy’s point of view, explores and reminisces without much concern, Indy is able to notice the increasingly hostile presence within the house, hiding within shadows and preying on his owner’s worsening health. But what is a dog to do against such a dark force?

Like another film I hope to review soon No One Will Save You, I am fascinated when a film manages to tell a compelling story with a minimum of dialogue, letting character come through via action and expression alone. While there is dialogue from Todd and a few others, Indy is clearly the star, and the surprisingly dark tale of death and grief that plays out is as affecting as it is because of his naturally lovable role and his clear love for his master. Restricting the camera to his level also breeds a fantastically foreboding atmosphere, letting him encounter creepy things that a dog surely doesn’t understand and allowing uneasy dread to morph into some expertly delivered jump scares.

While it’s debatable whether a dog actually deserves an acting award, I think the film absolutely merits its accolades. The editing especially sells Indy’s reactions, thanks to the Kuleshov effect, which wrings emotion and meaning from one shot (like the dog’s face) based on what was just shown before. It certainly makes me curious to see what Leonberg’s next film will bring. Good Boy surpasses its simple premise, serving as both a technical showcase of human and canine talent and a darn good haunted house flick.

Rank: List Runner-Up

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