Good Boy – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Good Boy

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A loyal pup battles supernatural forces in this horror-comedy that's way scarier than the cute premise suggests.

6.7/10

91%

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Good Boy

movie

PG-13, 2025

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A loyal pup battles supernatural forces in this horror-comedy that's way scarier than the cute premise suggests.

6.7

91%

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6.7/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: the cute dog premise is a trap. This is a real horror movie that happens to star a dog, not a family film with mild spooky elements.

The good news? Critics loved it (90% on RT), so if you're an older teen or adult who enjoys horror-comedies, this is apparently well-executed and creative. The dog-protagonist angle is genuinely fresh, and the loyalty themes work even within the scary framework.

The bad news for families? This lives on Shudder, the horror streaming service, for a reason. Supernatural threats, dark entities, things that go bump in the night—it's all here. The 14+ rating is generous; I'd push that to 15-16+ for most kids.

Bottom line: If your high schooler loves horror and you're okay with that, this seems like a solid pick. If you're looking for family movie night with the elementary schoolers because "it's about a dog," absolutely not. Find Air Bud instead.

Age Fit

This is firmly in the 15-17+ range, maybe mature 14-year-olds who actively seek out horror. Despite the dog protagonist, this is a legitimate horror film on a horror streaming service. Adults who enjoy creative horror-comedies will appreciate it, but this is absolutely not for kids or tweens.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Horror-comedy about supernatural forces threatening humans isn't emotionally healthy viewing for most kids. While the dog's loyalty is admirable, the genre inherently involves scary/disturbing content. The comedy elements may soften some edges, but this is fundamentally a horror film with threatening entities and violence.

Imaginative

The premise of a dog protagonist fighting supernatural forces is genuinely creative and offers a fresh POV on the horror genre. The rural setting combined with paranormal elements provides interesting world-building. However, it's derivative of established horror tropes rather than groundbreaking. The dog-as-hero angle is the most imaginative element.

Safe

This is a horror film on Shudder (a horror streaming service) with supernatural threats, dark entities, and implied violence. Common Sense Media rates it 14+. While the dog-protagonist angle may seem kid-friendly, the horror elements create genuine scares and likely include disturbing imagery. The comedy-horror blend doesn't eliminate safety concerns—kids expecting a cute dog movie would be traumatized.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value beyond entertainment. Themes of loyalty and protection are present through the dog's actions, but horror films prioritize scares over meaningful takeaways. May spark conversations about bravery and facing fears, but the supernatural framework limits real-world application. Decent entertainment for the right (older teen/adult) audience but not particularly growth-oriented.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong critical reception (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggests genuinely effective horror-comedy execution
Unique dog-protagonist POV offers fresh take on haunted house genre
Themes of loyalty and protection resonate, even within scary framework
Comedy elements balance the horror for viewers who like their scares with laughs
Good option for older teens/adults who want horror that's creative without being gratuitously violent

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What to Watch For

This is actual horror—not a family dog movie. Kids will be scared, possibly traumatized
Supernatural threats, dark entities, and implied violence throughout
The 14+ rating exists for good reason; even mature 14-year-olds may find it intense
Genre blend means unpredictable tone shifts between comedy and genuine scares

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you thought something supernatural was in our house?"
"Why do you think the filmmakers chose to tell this story from the dog's perspective?"
"How does adding comedy to scary movies change how frightening they feel?"
"What does loyalty really mean when things get dangerous or scary?"

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