The recently released American horror film Good Boy (2025), directed by Ben Leonberg, has sparked widespread curiosity among audiences, with many drawing comparisons to the beloved animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog. While both stories feature a loyal canine protagonist confronting eerie phenomena, Good Boy is not a live-action adaptation of Courage. Instead, it carves its own path as a unique, emotionally charged supernatural horror film, told entirely from a dog’s perspective. With a remarkable 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has been hailed as one of the most tear-jerking horror movies of 2025, blending terror with profound emotional depth. This article explores the plot, critical reception, and comparisons to Courage the Cowardly Dog, while delving into what makes Good Boy a standout in the horror genre.

Plot: A Dog’s Devotion in a Haunted World

Good Boy follows Todd (Shane Jensen), a young man grappling with a serious medical condition, who relocates from a cramped New York City apartment to an old, rural farmhouse inherited from his deceased grandfather (Larry Fessenden). Accompanying him is his loyal dog, Indy, played by Leonberg’s real-life pet, a Nova Scotia Duck Retriever. The house, rumored to be haunted, becomes the stage for a chilling narrative as Indy perceives supernatural entities invisible to humans. Strange occurrences—flickering lights, creaking walls, mysterious footsteps, and ghostly apparitions—escalate, with Indy’s reactions (whimpering, barking, or refusing to enter certain rooms) signaling danger. Unable to communicate with Todd, Indy’s loyalty is tested as he battles to protect his owner from malevolent forces threatening to drag him into the afterlife.

The film’s innovative approach lies in its cinematography, shot primarily from Indy’s eye level, immersing viewers in a dog’s sensory experience. This perspective, combined with a brisk 72-minute runtime, creates a disorienting yet intimate connection to Indy’s world. Critics have praised the film’s ability to balance traditional horror elements—jump scares, atmospheric tension, and a haunted house setting—with a heartfelt exploration of loyalty and loss. The narrative unfolds through Indy’s dreams, senses, and reactions, making the dog not just a protagonist but the emotional core of the story.

Critical Reception: A Horror Hit with Heart

Since its premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival on March 8, 2025, Good Boy has garnered widespread acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 95% approval rating based on 20 critics’ reviews, with praise for its originality and Indy’s stellar performance. Rafael Motamayor of IndieWire called it “one of the best horror films so far this year,” emphasizing that Indy’s role transcends gimmickry to deliver genuine emotional weight. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter highlighted Indy’s “unfailing loyalty” as the film’s emotional powerhouse, while Screen Rant noted its “surprisingly emotional” climax, despite some critiques of underdeveloped human characters.

The film’s technical achievements, including cinematography by Wade Grebnoel and editing by Curtis Roberts, have also been lauded for capturing Indy’s perspective authentically. Shot over 400 days in upstate New York, the production faced challenges due to Indy’s non-professional status as an actor, yet his natural responses—whimpers, barks, and cautious movements—earned him the “Howl of Fame” award at SXSW for Best Canine Performance. Critics like Mary Beth McAndrews from Dread Central have compared Indy’s performance to the iconic canine in The Thing, calling Good Boy “primed to be one of the most chilling movies of 2025.”

Comparison to Courage the Cowardly Dog

The comparisons to Courage the Cowardly Dog stem from surface similarities: both feature a dog protecting their human companions from supernatural threats in a creepy, isolated setting. In Courage, the titular pink dog faces bizarre, often comedic horrors to save his elderly owners, Muriel and Eustace, in the middle of Nowhere. Similarly, Good Boy centers on Indy’s efforts to shield Todd from malevolent entities in a haunted farmhouse. Both stories leverage the instinctual loyalty of dogs, amplifying their protective nature against otherworldly dangers.

However, Good Boy diverges significantly in tone and execution. While Courage blends horror with humor and surreal animation, Good Boy is a grounded, atmospheric horror film with no comedic relief. Its focus on Indy’s sensory experience—blurred visions, heightened sounds, and olfactory cues—creates a visceral, unsettling atmosphere, unlike the cartoonish absurdity of Courage. Additionally, Good Boy explores darker themes, such as mortality and grief, reflected in Todd’s medical condition and the film’s meditation on death. Critics note that Good Boy’s emotional depth, particularly in its heartbreaking conclusion, sets it apart from Courage’s episodic, family-friendly format.

Some reviews suggest Good Boy’s narrative could have been stronger, with Screen Rant pointing out that Todd’s lack of characterization weakens the climax compared to Indy’s compelling presence. In contrast, Courage thrives on its human characters’ quirks, which anchor its stories. Nevertheless, Good Boy’s commitment to its canine perspective makes it a bold, experimental departure, not a derivative remake.

Why Good Boy Resonates

Good Boy’s success lies in its ability to transform a familiar horror trope—the haunted house—into a fresh, emotionally resonant narrative. By filtering the story through Indy’s eyes, Leonberg taps into a universal experience for pet owners: wondering what our animals see when they stare into empty corners or growl at unseen threats. The film’s emotional impact, described as “heartrending” by Bloody Disgusting, stems from Indy’s helpless devotion as he watches Todd’s world unravel. This perspective, combined with effective scares and a concise runtime, makes Good Boy both accessible and profound.

Set for theatrical release on October 3, 2025, via Shudder, Good Boy is poised to become a cult favorite, particularly for horror fans and animal lovers. Its blend of chills and heartfelt storytelling, anchored by Indy’s remarkable performance, ensures it stands out in a crowded genre. While it shares thematic echoes with Courage the Cowardly Dog, Good Boy is a distinct, innovative film that proves a dog’s loyalty can be as terrifying as it is touching.