What could have easily been a cheap gimmick instead provides the foundation for one of the best horror films so far this year.

Good Boy, a new scary movie told entirely from a dog's POV, just premiered at South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas – and it's already being called "one of the best horror films of the year".

Good Boy drops audiences into this scary terrain, centering its haunted house story on a dedicated dog who is desperately trying to warn his human bestie about the supernatural threats closing in. Focusing on a dog in danger is a bold move.

But Good Boy works well enough on its own terms, managing to sustain sufficient tension throughout the course of its smartly concise 73-minute running time. The story is told entirely through Indy’s perspective, and if you ever find yourself in trouble, he’s the kind of dog you want on your side.

Christopher Landon's been busy lately. He's given us Happy Death Day and its sequel, as well as Freaky, Heart Eyes and now, Drop. Considering his track record for delivering constant hits, I'm so excited for this new horror movie.

Good Boy, about a dog protecting its owner from ghosts only he can see, is a fun genre exercise that stretches its premise to its logical limits.