Mike Flanagan Loves Heartbreaking Horror Movie That’s Finally on Streaming
Mike Flanagan knows a thing or two about emotionally tinged horror. The writer/director behind series like Midnight Mass and films like The Life of Chuck has long blended his favorite genre conventions with introspective characters and loads of heart, so it’s perhaps no surprise to hear that Good Boy has the filmmaker’s stamp of approval.
In a review on his Letterboxd account, Flanagan called Ben Leonberg’s festival favorite, which hit theaters earlier this year, a “very impressive indie effort with a bulletproof hook,” and praised its “stylish, atmospheric” presentation. Flanagan’s one of the biggest voices in horror to champion the film, but he’s far from the only one, as Good Boy has been earning fans since it hit the festival circuit in the spring.
Former Dread Central editor Mary Beth McAndrews reviewed the film out of SXSW, and called it “one of the most chilling movies of 2025.” Now, it’s heading to Shudder, so everyone can see what the fuss is about.
So, why has Good Boy garnered so much praise? It starts with that hook Flanagan was talking about. Good Boy is a haunted-house movie about a man named Todd (Shane Jensen) who stays at his late grandfather’s cluttered, creepy country house with his dog, Indy. Except it’s not really about Todd. In its script, its camera placement, the way it conveys character, and so much more, Good Boy is Indy’s story: the dog discovers a supernatural presence lurking in the house and seeks to protect his human.
It is a fantastic premise, but it’s also the kind of thing that might not work as a feature film without an incredible dog performance at the center. Fortunately for us all, Indy delivers a remarkable, nuanced performance as a dog who’s not only solving a mystery, but wrestling with his deep, emotional ties to Todd. Huge chunks of the movie pass without dialogue, as Indy goes off on his own and tries to figure out what’s happening in this strange old house, and every time that happens, Indy rises to meet the moment. It’s compelling even when the dog isn’t fighting evil, but when that evil emerges, it’s also an extremely creepy thrill ride for horror fans.
Whether you’re looking for an unconventional haunted house movie, you love movies with dogs, or you just want to try out a horror film that’ll scare you but not outright traumatize you, Good Boy will very likely hit the spot. It lands on Shudder on November 21st, so add it to your queue and enjoy.
Categorized: Streaming News
