Many films have had dogs as their protagonist. Fewer have been horror films. Professor of film studies Ben Leonberg’s dog, Indy, has delivered a masterclass in acting in Good Boy (2025). I’ve seen lots of films with dogs as the main character. Trained animals do not achieve what we consider “acting”, however. It’s not within their scope. Indy isn’t an actor either, but the approach with which he has been handled, as the director’s own companion - and filmed such that his natural behaviours lend themselves to the script through clever cinematography, are innovative and gripping. If you watch one horror film this spooky season, I think the best possible one for any dog lover, is Good Boy.
Many films have had dogs as their protagonist. Fewer have been horror films. Professor of film studies Ben Leonberg’s dog, Indy, has delivered a masterclass in acting in Good Boy (2025). I’ve seen lots of films with dogs as the main character. Trained animals do not achieve what we consider “acting”, however. It’s not within their scope. Indy isn’t an actor either, but the approach with which he has been handled, as the director’s own companion - and filmed such that his natural behaviours lend themselves to the script through clever cinematography, are innovative and gripping. If you watch one horror film this spooky season, I think the best possible one for any dog lover, is Good Boy.