The Filmmaking Journey of Ben Leonberg and His Canine Star
Dog ownership often comes with responsibilities of love and affection, as pet owners treat their furry companions as family members. Taking this bond to an innovative extreme, filmmaker Ben Leonberg has made his dog, Indy, the focal point of his feature-length horror film titled Good Boy. This energetic retriever showcases his charisma and talent, making a significant impression during its world premiere at the SXSW festival in the Midnighter section.
Originality in Horror: A New Approach
Good Boy represents a unique approach in the horror genre, a field crowded with mainstream trends like the found-footage style popularized by films such as The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Over three years of production, this film maintains a distinctive flair, even if it may not set a new trend for future horror projects. It is unlikely we will see cats getting jealous over the success of a canine film like this one.
Indy’s Perspective: A Unique Narrative Style
This film cleverly capitalizes on its compact 73-minute runtime, effectively building suspense from Indy’s perspective. As a loyal and perceptive companion, Indy proves to be the ideal ally in a time of crisis.
A Dark Turn: The Journey to the Country House
The story kicks off with Todd, played by Shane Jensen, facing an undisclosed medical emergency that leads him and Indy to relocate to his grandfather’s dilapidated house in the countryside. Their late-night arrival amid a torrential downpour sets the stage for eerie happenings. Strangely, only Indy seems attuned to the unsettling occurrences around them, particularly when he notices a mysterious figure lingering behind the car.
Ghostly Encounters and the Unseen Threats
As the narrative unfolds, the tension escalates. Indy encounters ghostly apparitions, notably a spectral dog that sends him into a state of panic. Sounds of unusual noises and shadows add to the atmosphere, with Todd’s deceased grandfather making a chilling appearance, portrayed by horror stalwart Larry Fessenden, who lends authentic gravitas to the film.
Unease in Familiar Surroundings
Indy’s instincts lead him to avoid exploring the nearby cemetery where Todd’s relatives are buried, highlighting an impending sense of dread. Todd’s obliviousness to his surroundings raises questions about his fate, as viewers share a sense of foreboding.
Classic Horror Elements with a Twist
Director Leonberg, alongside co-writer Alex Cannon, employs familiar horror tropes, such as misleading jump scares. An encounter with a distorted tree creature that turns out to be a misguided hunter is just one of those moments. Yet, the film largely reinforces its suspenseful narrative through Indy’s unique vantage point, cleverly avoiding cliches often faced by human protagonists in horror tales.
The Heart of the Film: Loyalty and Resilience
At its core, Good Boy thrives on the unwavering loyalty that Indy exhibits towards Todd. This emotional depth is evident even as Todd, grappling with his illness and the supernatural tension in the house, mistreats Indy. A heart-wrenching scene features Indy chained outside, leaving him defenseless against lurking threats.
Expert Canine Performance
The successful portrayal of Indy is a testament to the skilled direction of Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer. Their innovative methods to elicit genuine fear from their four-legged star would have surely positioned Indy as a frontrunner for a PATSY Award—if such a tribute to animal performances still existed.