Good Boy + Bring Her Back

As a final coda to our series looking back at some prominent films from 2025 (#2025stillalive), we're ending in a similar fashion to how we began. We started this series with a pair of films in one episode (Together + Companion), and we end by discussing Ben Leonberg's unconventional canine-centric chiller GOOD BOY and the latest film from Danny and Michael Philippou, BRING HER BACK.

Both films deal with characters (both human and canine) who experience profound desperation as people they love are lost or threatened. Good Boy is told entirely from the perspective of Indy, a dog who senses a malevolent presence he can't understand threatening his owner. Bring Her Back tells the story of Andy and Piper, two step-siblings who enter into foster care after the sudden and horrific death of their father. They soon learn that their foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins), has recently lost a child and not all might be as it seems in their new environment. The films have varying degrees of effectiveness and a wide array of different interests, but each are compelling in their own right.

We're joined by third chair and Ghoul Scout Troop leader Vera Goudie to explore these two pieces, their interesting creative choices, and the surprising ways they reflect starkly different approaches to grief, fear, and desperation. It's one of our heartiest and most heartfelt discussions and we really hope you enjoy it!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts here..

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