GOOD BOY

Norway, 2022, 77 minutes, Colour.

Gard Lokke, Katrine Lovise Opstad Fredriksen, Nicolai Narvesen Lied.

Directed by Viljar Boe.

A Norwegian curiosity item. A brief film, leading towards horror conventions but opting for drama rather than horror.

The film focuses on a young millionaire, living alone, inheriting a mansion and fortune from his parents. He enjoys cooking, does nothing in particular all day. And, he has a pet dog, cooking for the dog, talking to the dog, calling him Frank. The young man also fosters a social life, using Tinder for the dating, have a meeting with a young woman, Sigrid, and forming a bond with her – and she, with the advice of a friend, learning that he is a millionaire, cultivating the relationship with dates, visits to his house, staying over, learning about Frank, and going for a weekend away with the millionaire and Frank.

We are suspicious of Frank, realising at once that there is a human inside under the bizarre dog cover, the insider having to act like a dog and obey every command of the millionaire. Sigrid then becomes rather frightened of the situation, Frank making a verbal appeal to her, her wanting to help, building up to something of a mad confrontation with the millionaire.

There is no surprise that Frank is punished, caged, humiliated. And the same for Sigrid. The only surprise, spoiler, is the ending when we realise that time has passed and what do we see? A little child with a dog cover, acting like a puppy!