Good Boy is unlike any horror film currently out there. It subverts expectations in an emotional, scary, and heartbreaking way. I couldn't wait to learn more about it from director, co-writer, and Indy's dad – Ben Leonberg.
Good Boy Interview
As his dad and as the director, what was it like capturing his performance? Because I'm going to tell you, I was sitting there just blown away. You could just see him working through things and his emotions.
Ben: The thing we realized about Indy when we were trying to figure out the movie in general, not even thinking he would be our actor, was that his superpower as an actor is he has this really intense unblinking stare. We always say it's like you can see the gears turning. It seems like he's just really deep in thought and he has this intensity, which as a filmmaker, you can then use.
The story is so much more than just a supernatural thriller. It's personal. It's deeply emotional. Can you talk a little bit about the evolution of that? Was it always meant to be that way? And is there some sort of real life aspect that you brought into this film?
Ben: I mean, I think the part that feels the most real to us and certainly why, I mean, we wanted to make the movie is because we love dogs. The film is, in a lot of ways, a love letter to our relationship with animals. You know, it is a ghost story. It's a horror movie. But we always like to say that for Indy, his character, it's a love story. He loves in a way that's very easy to understand. He loves his person. He loves them unconditionally and would do anything to protect them. So I think that's hopefully easy to relate to for anybody who's had a pet. The way we feel about them is uncomplicated. And that's a good thing.
Watch the full interview with Ben Leonberg, Alex Cannon, and Indy the Dog
About Good Boy
Our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner—and best friend—Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, perceives phantasmagoric warnings from a long-dead dog, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant’s grim death. When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife.
Shudder and IFC's Good Boy is in theaters now. It is rated PG-13 for terror, bloody images and strong language with a runtime of 72 minutes.
*This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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