Shudder’s latest film, Good Boy, is already making waves in the horror genre ahead of its release, and its Rotten Tomatoes debut score is testament to that. Directed by Ben Leonberg in his feature debut, the home-invasion horror puts a unique twist on the classic formula as the story is told through the perspective of a dog called Indy.
Starring Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden and Leonberg’s real-life dog, Good Boy premiered at SXSW on March 10, 2025. Due to its interesting premise, the film has already caused a stir online after Good Boy’s trailer caused a Google search spike to see if the dog dies. Good Boy is scheduled to be released theatrically on October 3, 2025.
Now, Shudder’s Good Boy has debuted with a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its wider release in a few days, following 48 critic reviews. The critical consensus states that “Good Boy is a visually striking, emotionally devastating horror film,” with many praising the film’s unique perspective and curiosity-driven narrative which creates a “uniquely haunting and conceptually ambitious experience.”
What This Means for Good Boy’s Success
The 92% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects strong early praise for Good Boy, which could translate into an even stronger following upon its release, especially considering Shudder’s established base of dedicated horror fans, and the film’s virality. In fact, what makes this Rotten Tomatoes score particularly impressive is that it places Good Boy among the top-rated horror films of the year.
The home invasion film has clearly struck a chord with early audiences, positioning it as one of the standout releases of the year. However, the strong reception not only boosts Good Boy’s potential for success but also strengthens Shudder’s standing in an increasingly competitive horror market, meaning Good Boy could quickly become a cult favorite in the horror community.
Our Take on Good Boy’s RT Score
Given the 92% score, we are cautiously optimistic about Good Boy’s ability to live up to the hype. While Rotten Tomatoes scores can sometimes be misleading, the strong critical consensus surrounding Good Boy suggests that the execution of its somewhat bizarre premise pays off. However, the true test will be how the general public responds once Good Boy is released.
If it resonates as well with viewers as it has with critics, we could be looking at one of the best horror films of the year. For fans of the genre, this could mean more quality content, with Good Boy paving the way for other unique, high-caliber films. Therefore, we are eager to see audience reactions in the coming weeks.
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2025
- Runtime
-
73 minutes
- Director
-
Ben Leonberg
- Writers
-
Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
