Summary:
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Good Boy (2025) follows a haunted house story told from the dog’s POV.
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The main question fans asked: does Indy, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, survive?
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Marketing and behind-the-scenes details strongly suggest Indy lives through the movie.
Horror fans will sit through buckets of blood and supernatural torment. But put a dog in danger? That’s when audiences demand answers before buying a ticket. Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonberg, flips the haunted-house genre by telling its story from the perspective of Indy, a loyal Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. The big question leading into its October 3, 2025 release is simple: does the dog survive? Let’s dig into what’s confirmed, what’s implied, and why Leonberg’s own bond with Indy is central to the movie.
Does the Dog Live in Good Boy?
Yes, all evidence points to Indy surviving the film.
Even before release, IFC and Shudder leaned into the public’s concern with a cheeky marketing push. A PSA dropped in September 2025 directly addressed the “Does the dog die?” question, essentially confirming that audiences wouldn’t walk out devastated. The campaign was a smart move: dog lovers notoriously avoid films where animals are harmed (Marley & Me and I Am Legend remain cautionary tales for marketing departments).
It’s also worth noting that Indy isn’t just playing a character he’s Leonberg’s real-life dog. Killing him off on-screen would’ve felt needlessly cruel, especially for a debut feature that doubles as a tribute to their relationship. Instead, the tension comes from whether Indy can save his owner, Todd, from the entity haunting their family home.
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Why Audiences Feared for Indy’s Fate
Trailers for Good Boy made one thing clear: Indy is front and center, with the camera literally at his eye level for much of the runtime. That unique perspective made viewers emotionally attached from the start.
Fans also know horror tropes well the “dog dies first” cliché has been around for decades. From Cujo to The Thing, animals are often used to foreshadow danger or amplify dread. The fact that Indy’s story is the movie’s POV raised fears he might become another victim.
But early reviews from SXSW screenings reassured audiences. Critics praised the film’s emotional pull without mentioning traumatizing canine fatalities. IGN’s 7/10 review even emphasized Indy’s “scene-stealing charm,” a hint that he makes it through to the credits.
READ MORE: Good Boy Ending Explained: Why Did Todd Have to Die in Good Boy?
How Was Good Boy Filmed With a Single Dog?
Unlike most productions that rotate between multiple trained dogs, Good Boy used Indy alone. This unusual choice added authenticity but also meant the shoot stretched over three years to comply with animal work restrictions.
Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer, built their production company (“What’s Wrong With Your Dog?”) around the film and even lived in the house where it was shot. The setup allowed them to film at Indy’s pace, ensuring he stayed comfortable and safe.
Indy’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. At SXSW, he received a “Howl of Fame” Award a playful but well-earned nod to his lead role. Critics highlighted how natural he felt on screen, with his reactions carrying emotional weight where other films might rely on VFX.
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What Role Does Indy Play in Good Boy’s Story?
Indy isn’t just a pet in the background he’s the protagonist.
The story follows Todd (Shane Jensen), who inherits his grandfather’s remote home and moves in with Indy. Strange occurrences escalate as a shadowy entity begins to stalk them. From Indy’s vantage point, Todd’s behavior grows erratic seizures, mood swings, and isolation blur the line between supernatural possession and terminal illness.
Indy’s perspective makes the horror more ambiguous. Is the entity real, or is it just how a dog processes his owner’s decline? The answer doesn’t matter as much as Indy’s loyalty, which frames the film’s emotional core.
And yes while Todd’s fate is bleak, Indy ultimately survives, echoing the director’s belief that audiences needed at least one light in the darkness.
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Why Director Ben Leonberg Chose His Own Dog
Directors often cast their spouses, friends, or even themselves in indie films. Leonberg went one step further: he cast Indy, his best friend and family dog.
This decision shaped the film in unique ways:
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Intimacy on screen: Because Indy trusted Leonberg, their bond translated into natural performances. Shots of Indy watching Todd, for instance, carry a depth no trained dog actor-for-hire could fake.
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Production flexibility: Using his own dog meant Leonberg could film organically around Indy’s behavior, rather than forcing scenes.
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Personal stakes: The film doubles as a love letter to his relationship with Indy. In interviews, Leonberg has joked that the real horror would’ve been hurting Indy, even fictionally.
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Will Indy Act Again After Good Boy?
Probably not.
Leonberg has suggested Indy is happily retired, enjoying life as a family pet. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said:
“I think he’s retired and very happy. But if the right dog food brand wants to make a Super Bowl commercial, we’ll certainly entertain it. He loves to work.”
That said, given Good Boy’s success including a Certified Fresh 93% on Rotten Tomatoes Indy may live on as a cult cinema icon, even if he never steps in front of the camera again.
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