New ‘Good Boy’ Poster Reveals Dog’s-Eye Horror Twist [7 Facts]

Introduction

Horror cinema thrives on perspective, and the upcoming indie film Good Boy is breaking new ground by telling a haunted house story entirely from the point of view of a dog. On September 9, 2025, the film news outlet DiscussingFilm unveiled the latest poster for Good Boy, sparking major online buzz. The poster shows a wide-eyed dog with a sinister clawed hand reaching down from above, alongside the chilling tagline: “Trust His Instincts.”

With over 21,000 likes and 2,000 reposts, the viral tweet has set the stage for one of this year’s most unconventional horror releases. Here’s everything we know about Good Boy so far.

New poster for ‘GOOD BOY’

The horror film follows the perspective of a dog who sees its owner haunted by supernatural entities. pic.twitter.com/dRljkpOmSA

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 9, 2025

A Haunted House Story from a Dog’s Eyes

Unlike typical horror movies, Good Boy shifts the focus to Indy, a loyal dog who senses supernatural entities haunting his owner Todd. The film explores how animals often detect things humans cannot, giving viewers an eerie and emotional lens into terror.

Creative Direction and Production

Directed by Ben Leonberg in his feature debut, Good Boy was co-written with Alex Cannon. Filmed across 400 camera days over three years, the project relied on innovative techniques to capture Indy’s perspective, including treats, noises, and closed sets to guide the dog’s performance.

Cast and Crew Highlights

• Indy as Himself (the dog)
• Shane Jensen
• Arielle Friedman
• Larry Fessenden (Habit, The Last Winter)
• Director: Ben Leonberg
• Writers: Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
• Producers: Karl Mueller, Brian Goodheart

Genre, Runtime, and Tone

Good Boy is officially listed as horror/thriller/comedy, with a runtime of 77 minutes. Its mix of haunted house tropes and humor positions it as a potential cult hit, much like Courage the Cowardly Dog but with darker, real stakes.

Festival Reception and Streaming

The film premiered at SXSW 2025, earning strong audience reactions. Already holding a 6.7/10 IMDb rating from festival viewers, the movie has been acquired by Shudder, with theatrical distribution by IFC Films.

Poster’s Viral Impact

The poster plays a critical role in shaping expectations. Its imagery—a terrified dog, a sinister hand, and the phrase “Trust His Instincts”—captures the essence of suspense and loyalty, leaving fans both excited and worried for Indy’s fate.

Release Date

Good Boy is set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, perfectly timed for the Halloween season.

FAQs

Q1: What is Good Boy about?
It’s a haunted house horror film told entirely from the perspective of a dog named Indy, who must protect his owner from supernatural forces.

Q2: Who directed Good Boy?
Ben Leonberg makes his feature directorial debut with the film.

Q3: When will Good Boy release?
The movie will be released in theaters on October 3, 2025.

Q4: Where can I watch it after theaters?
Good Boy has been acquired by Shudder, so it will later stream on the platform.

Q5: Why is the poster trending?
The viral poster shows a scared dog with a clawed hand above it, which fans find both adorable and terrifying.

Conclusion

Good Boy stands out as a refreshing take on horror—combining emotional depth, experimental storytelling, and the timeless bond between humans and dogs. By choosing a dog’s-eye perspective, the filmmakers are pushing genre boundaries and offering audiences something entirely new.

Opinion

The rise of Good Boy highlights a deeper cultural fascination: audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that challenge conventional perspectives. By filtering horror through the instincts of a dog, the film not only explores loyalty and fear but also raises questions about human dependence on animals to sense danger. This approach could mark a broader shift in horror storytelling—away from repetitive haunted house formulas and toward more imaginative, empathetic narratives. Whether Good Boy succeeds commercially or not, its artistic ambition deserves attention, as it reflects how cinema continues to evolve by reshaping the lens through which we perceive fear itself.