N.J. Filmmaker Turns His Dog Into a Horror Movie Star in “Good Boy”
In a unique horror film, a New Jersey director centers on his dog. “Good Boy,” a new dog-based film, presents Indy, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever whose loyalty and instincts drive the story. A typical pet became the unusual star of a supernatural drama in a remote New Jersey home over three years for the film, which releases nationally this week.
After years of seeing Indy’s inherent curiosity and propensity to stare at unseen corners of the room, frequently leaving the impression he could sense something invisible, South Jersey native Ben Leonberg devised the idea. That idea inspired the film’s eerie house, where the dog sees terrible forces his humans can’t. Todd, played by Shane Jensen, arrives into a property with a troubled background and suffers with his health as his loyal dog senses something ominous.
“Good Boy” is different from other horror flicks because of its emotional heart. Leonberg says the thousands-year human-animal bond between a person and their dog causes primitive tension. Fans automatically believe Indy would do everything to defend his owner, raising the stakes in every scary moment. The filmmaker claims early screening audiences often related Indy’s behavior to their dogs, demonstrating the film’s relatability.
Creative filmmaking and perseverance were needed to make a dog-centric film. Indy was trained as a natural participant by Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer. They created sequences of dread using basic cues, noises, and editing, even though Indy was never terrified. His excellent direction and authentic canine behavior make him intriguing on screen, making him seem to react to otherworldly events.
It became a family project. Leonberg and Fischer spent years collecting footage in a Harding Township residence. Working nights and weekends, adapting to Indy’s short attention span, and treating filming as play and storytelling were common. Despite hurdles, the trailer immediately garnered millions of views and helped Independent Film Company and Shudder broadcast it widely. At South by Southwest, the film won the Howl of Fame Award.
Leonberg made his feature directorial debut with “Good Boy”. He started making films as a child and worked in advertising and immersive media. After the pandemic delayed shooting, he drove dump trucks for his family business before returning to filming, confirming his commitment to the subject. Later funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts helped finish the project.
Death and how pets perceive human hardships are explored in the film beyond scares. The anecdote reverses the normal experience of learning about loss from pets, according to Leonberg. Instead, “Good Boy” blends supernatural terror with sincere compassion to depict a dog seeing a loved one fade.
Leonberg, who lives in Montana with Fischer and Indy, continues to screen the project nationwide. Although the film made Indy an unexpected star, the dog remained blissfully oblivious of his stardom, content to rest by his master. His commitment makes him a horror movie hero for moviegoers, adding authenticity to the genre.
“Good Boy,” rated PG-13 and 72 minutes, is screening in New Jersey cinemas and will expand nationwide on October 3.
Sources
NJ Advance Media reporting
Independent Film Company press coverage
South by Southwest Festival announcements
