Good Boy Trailer Unleashed – Haunted House Horror Told Through the Eyes of a Dog
Horror fans are about to see the haunted house subgenre from an entirely new perspective. Three months ago, Shudder announced it had secured distribution rights to Good Boy, a supernatural thriller with a unique storytelling twist: the entire film is told through the eyes of a family dog. Now, with a theatrical release set for October 3rd across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, Shudder has debuted the first official trailer.
A Haunted House Story With a Canine Twist
Directed by Ben Leonberg and co-written with Alex Cannon, Good Boy stars Leonberg’s own dog, Indy. The story follows Indy and his beloved owner Todd as they leave city life behind to move into Todd’s long-abandoned family home in the countryside. For Indy, two things quickly become clear: his new surroundings feel unsettling, and his loyalty to Todd is absolute.
From the moment they step through the creaking doorway, Indy senses something is wrong. The dog detects presences no one else can see, tracks phantom footsteps through the halls, and encounters a spectral canine that delivers chilling warnings. He even catches glimpses of the former resident’s gruesome fate. As Todd begins to fall under the sway of a dark and dangerous force, Indy must confront the malevolent spirit threatening to drag his human companion into the afterlife.
The supporting cast includes indie horror veteran Larry Fessenden (Blackout) and Stuart Rudin (The Silence of the Lambs). But make no mistake — this is Indy’s movie. Shudder describes the canine’s performance as one of the most unexpected and emotional turns in recent horror cinema.
The Challenges of Filming With a Dog
Part of what makes Good Boy so remarkable is the production process itself. According to Deadline, Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer, transformed their own home into the film’s set and even stood in as body doubles to accommodate Indy’s availability. Shooting with the dog stretched across three years, requiring roughly 400 days of filming. Indy isn’t a trained animal actor, which meant patience, creativity, and improvisation were essential. The result, however, is a strikingly authentic portrayal of how a pet might perceive a haunted environment — equal parts unnerving and heart-wrenching.
JoBlo’s Chris Bumbray, who met Indy in person, noted that the canine star was a difficult subject to photograph, underscoring the challenges the filmmakers must have faced. Still, Leonberg and his team were committed to telling the story from Indy’s point of view, making the dog’s reactions the core emotional anchor of the film.
Shudder’s Commitment to Fresh Horror
The deal for Good Boy was brokered by Amy Beecroft, head of Verve Ventures, on behalf of the filmmakers. Emily Gotto, Shudder’s SVP of Acquisitions and Production, represented the streaming service during negotiations. Both executives praised the film for its originality and emotional power.
Beecroft said, “We immediately recognized the immense potential of Leonberg’s debut and are thrilled to strike this deal with Shudder.”
Gotto added, “Ben Leonberg’s debut is a singular experience in perspective-driven horror. Told entirely through the eyes of Indy, a devoted dog whose terror and determination to save his human become our own, the film delivers a haunting and emotional experience that introduces a surprising standout performance from Indy and a strikingly assured first feature from Leonberg.”
A Fresh Spin on Familiar Horror
Over the decades, haunted house films have remained a cornerstone of the horror genre, from classics like The Haunting (1963) to modern hits like The Conjuring. But Good Boy offers something wholly original: exploring supernatural terror through the instincts and perceptions of a loyal dog. By framing the narrative from Indy’s point of view, the film gives audiences a fresh emotional entry point into familiar territory. The trailer hints at both chilling set pieces and moments of genuine poignancy, as Indy refuses to abandon Todd even when darkness surrounds them.
Rated PG-13 for terror, bloody images, and strong language, Good Boy is positioned as a horror film that balances intensity with accessibility. For pet lovers, the idea of a dog fighting to save his human adds an emotional weight rarely seen in the genre. For horror fans, the inventive premise promises a new way to experience haunted house scares.
With Shudder championing the film and a theatrical release just around the corner, Good Boy is already generating buzz as one of the most intriguing supernatural horror projects of 2025. Whether you come for the scares, the novelty, or the heart, it’s clear this is one haunted house story that stands out from the pack.
