Written and directed by Viljar Bøe, Good Boy is a Norwegian psychological head trip that explores the complex animalistic tendencies humans can sometimes have. The film is also a shocking foray into the psyche of an evil that no one expects. Executed in a fashion that usually only European filmmakers can deliver, Good Boy is an intriguing film that will suck the audience in.
Written and directed by Viljar Bøe, Good Boy follows Christian (Gard Løkke), a loner from a family of millionaires who meets Sigrid (Katrine Lovise Øpstad Fredriksen), a young student, online. The two hit it off, but there's just one problem: Christian's beloved pet is a man in a dog suit named Frank. Christian informs Sigrid that Frank only wants to be treated like a dog, with the man barking and eating out of a dog bowl at all times. While initially hesitant to continue a relationship with Christian, Sigrid ends up accepting her new boyfriend and his unusual pet. However, she soon finds that things may actually be more sinister than they seem.
At just 79 minutes, Good Boy packs a massive punch. While still uncomfortable to watch at times, the film manages to be subtle at first. The psychological mystery here is extremely engaging. The first half also acts as a strange sort of romance with a love triangle at the center, but that all changes in the film's second act. Everything that could go wrong does, creating a bleak and confrontational experience that many won't be able to shake for days.
Løkke is brilliant as the brooding and mysterious Christian, who has so many secrets locked away in his mind that his head may explode. The performance is nuanced and quiet, making it all the more frightening when the narrative starts to get increasingly intense. Viljar Bøe, who seems to have directed a few features prior to Good Boy, shows great promise as a filmmaker here. The film is very realistic in tone, and the cinematography has glimpses of Lars Von Trier, as does the screenplay.
Halfway through the film, a jarring revelation blows the hinges off the narrative. After this moment, the film becomes an unhinged spectacle. The movie's macabre third act leaves more to the imagination, usually not showing the audience gory visuals, but that makes it all the more frightening. Also, the final frame of Good Boy changes the intensity of the events the viewer just consumed, creating a deeply unsettling feeling.
Good Boy speaks about isolation, love, and fetishes in a human yet suspenseful way that is just as impressive as it is entertaining. This is the sort of film that one can't stop watching no matter how disturbed they may feel. The film is sophisticated, Scandinavian horror, reminiscent of the 2022 international shocker Speak No Evil. As it turns out, Scandinavian horror is making a big slash right now, and Good Boy is no exception. The layered film is shocking, poignant, and even humorous, making Good Boy a must-see of 2023.
Good Boy hits theaters in Theaters, Digital, and On Demand on September 8th.