Behind the Scenes with Ben Leonberg: Making a Horror-Thriller Through a Dog’s Eyes
Family Dog Stars in ‘Good Boy,’ a Unique Horror-Thriller
Ben Leonberg has taken on a remarkable challenge, transforming his family home into a haunted house to film a horror movie featuring his beloved dog, Indy. The film, titled Good Boy, premiered at SXSW and presents a fresh perspective on supernatural tales through the eyes of a family pet.
In Good Boy, Indy relocates with his owner Todd to a rural home where supernatural elements begin to emerge. Unbeknownst to the others, Indy is the only one who can see these malevolent forces and struggles to alert Todd to the danger lurking in the shadows.
Indy was not destined for the spotlight. Leonberg recalls that when they brought Indy home, he never imagined he would be starring in a feature film. However, he soon recognized the unique challenge of coaxing Indy to cooperate on set.
“Indy’s on-set hours were our most precious resource, determined by his attention span. Depending on the scene, he could manage a few minutes or at most three hours,” Leonberg explained. “Over 400 days of filming, Indy was only himself on camera for a maximum of three hours.”
Since debuting at SXSW, Good Boy has seen substantial developments, including a partnership with IFC. “The film has gone into the world, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see others share my obsession with my dog,” Leonberg noted.
When asked about the puppy footage in the movie, Leonberg confirmed, “That’s actually Indy and his littermates captured in home movies from when my wife and I first got him—back when we had no idea he would become a movie star.”
The filming spanned from April 2021 to August 2024 and involved meticulous organization to ensure a successful shot. Leonberg described the logistical challenges of filming at the whim of a family pet. “It’s definitely not the most efficient way to make a movie, but capturing Indy’s performance was paramount.”
This required Leonberg and his wife to adapt the household into a film set while managing the emotional demands of their pet. “The most critical resource was time. We had to maximize the moments we had with Indy,” he added.
In the editing room, Leonberg continually adjusted footage as filming progressed. “We often captured only one or two shots a day, and I had to decide which ones to keep. I’d drawn storyboards, and the flexibility of that approach helped us navigate Indy’s unpredictable behavior,” he explained.
He emphasized the significance of visual and audio elements in storytelling. “How we combined visuals and sound was crucial to advancing the narrative and maintaining audience engagement,” he said.
Some scenes depict Indy facing various frightening scenarios, such as being caught in a fox trap. Leonberg elaborated on how they achieved these impactful yet safe moments. “To suggest fear, Indy would often just look off-camera at me while I made bird noises. The right angles, sound effects, and music created an illusion of terror for the audience,” he elaborated.
Overall, Leonberg’s narrative sheds light on the challenges and joys of filming with a pet. “Indy learned commands, but he was also eager to please, which made for heartwarming moments on set. It required constant adaptation to keep him engaged and curious,” he stated.
Looking to the future, Leonberg is eager to explore new directions. “While I’ve enjoyed making a film centered on a dog, I’m looking forward to crafting a horror-thriller starring humans. I’m currently planning a new project for early 2026 that delves into similar themes,” he concluded.
Through Leónberg’s family venture, Good Boy embraces a unique blend of cinematic artistry and heartfelt storytelling.
