After her beloved pup's demise, a mother is completely distraught. Her young son is left ill-equipped to deal with his own feelings and unable to console her. Nonetheless, someone must deal with the business of death. Enter Cosmo, a ghoulish laborer of the macabre. When he shows up to "take care" the situation, his bedside manner is so terrible it provokes the boy into violent action, a mistake he would quickly regret.

Our hero finds himself on a trip into hell, along side a demon of death. In his hopelessness and terror, the boy learns how to let go, accept his feelings and allow himself to grieve. In doing so he learns a beautiful and magical truth which grants him power to return home and share his newfound courage with his mom.

CHARACTERS

THE BOY

A ball of "fuck off" energy in a baggy t-shirt, he is moody, aloof, and somewhat rebellious. He often wears a metaphorical mask of indifference, seemingly detached from the world around him. He is dragged along into Cosmo's nightmare trip. Along the way he grapples with grief and loss, which forces him to confront his emotions and vulnerabilities. Through these experiences, he evolves into a character who is not only resilient but also capable of empathy, remorse, and a deep appreciation for the bonds he shares with his family. The boy's journey becomes a poignant exploration of grief, survival, and redemption. His character development is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for personal growth in the face of adversity.

COSMO

Cosmo's is shrouded in ambiguity, and he remains an enigma throughout the story. He speaks cryptically and in a thick Eastern European accent. He possesses a cold, emotionless demeanor that rarely wavers, even in the face of intense situations. Cosmo has a deep connection to the world of death and the afterlife. Cosmo's actions and motivations remain unclear, leaving others in the story, as well as the audience, both intrigued and apprehensive about his intentions. Mysterious and enigmatic, Cosmo is a character who exists on the fringes of reality and fantasy, adding an element of horror and uncertainty to the narrative. His presence is haunting, and his role in the story remains a subject of speculation, making him a complex and unforgettable character.

MOM

Mom is a source of warmth and undying love to her family. She shows her overflowing affection through food and gets satisfaction from “feeding her boys”. Bully’s death strikes Mom to her core. The depth of her love for bully is evident in the bottomlessness of her grief after his passing. Mom is a character who embodies warmth, kindness, and maternal love. Her presence in the story adds a sense of humanity and compassion that contrasts with the darker and more mysterious elements of the narrative.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Last year my mom and I lost our dog, Bully. He was part of our family and we loved him deeply. His death came as a shock to us both. Mom loved him like a child. Her grief was so heartbreaking I felt unable to console her. I couldn’t find the right words, I didn’t know the right action take. All I knew was that I could help handle the “arrangements” so I called a service that picks up the remains of family pets. The man who showed up wasn’t quite Cosmo but he did help inspire the idea for “Good boy”. That night as I laid in bed, missing my dog, I started to imagine where my friend Bully was. Was he still with that man who took him? What was that dog mortician’s life like after he left our home? What if it was horrific? What if it was beautiful? Isn’t death both? I couldn’t sleep, my mind raced with scenarios. So I got up and wrote “Good boy”. Making this film is my way of honoring my friend, Bully. A wise sensitive loving little friend who helped me grow up. This film is also dedicated to my Mom, Gillian Costelloe. We’ve been through many hard times as a family, some worse than this. When I was a teenager she was there for me after the passing of my father. This film is in part my attempt to be there for her. To show her loving care and to honor our family members who have passed into the next life. Rest in peace Bully, You were a good boy.

VISUAL STYLE

The visual aesthetic of the film will play a crucial role in conveying the story's atmosphere. The opening scenes set in Brooklyn will emphasize the warmth of home, using warm colors and natural lighting to create a sense of familiarity. However, as the narrative progresses, the visual style will gradually shift to become more eerie and unsettling. In the rural and isolated settings, we will employ a darker and more muted color palette, with shadows and contrasts that heighten the tension. There will be a slight “glow” or over saturation of color in moments of extreme surrealism to heighten the magical realist tone. Cinematography will emphasize close-ups to capture the characters' emotions and reactions, particularly during moments of psychological intensity.

DIRECTOR'S VISION

Good Boy is a film that balances realism with surrealism to immerse the audience in an intense and thought-provoking experience. The tone will be a delicate blend of horror, drama, psychological tension, with a healthy sprinkling of comic relief to create moments of both dread and emotional catharsis.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

Our previous work includes:

The award winning feature film GOD’S TIME distributed by IFC FILMS now Steaming on HULU.

WAKING UP written/directed by Dion Costelloe winner of BEST ACTOR New York indie short awards.

LAST MEAL Written And co- directed by Brendan Babinski & Dion Costelloe.

WHAT YOU DONATION HELPS WITH

Your generous donation would help with different items needed in order to make this film. These include:

Camera Equipment

Lighting

Crew (Production and Post)

Animal Handler w/ dogs

Locations

Cast

Travel and Accommodations

Craft Services/Food

Hard drives

Festival Submissions

Production Insurance

Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated and bring us closer to help tell this story in the best way we possibly can. We understand that not everyone is in a position to give. Following us on Seed and Spark and helping us spread the word is also a great contribution. We need your help to get this story told and bring Good Boy into a reality.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to explore our story!