Unexpected Star of 2025’s Unique Horror Movie Makes History After Win Over Ethan Hawke, Allison Brie and More
Critics and audiences have been praising Indy the dog’s performance in the horror film Good Boy since the movie’s release. Indy’s owner and director, Ben Leonberg, helped craft the pup’s lauded performance, framing him as the protagonist of an emotional and terrifying journey in the film. Thanks to the efforts of the film crew and Indy’s fabulous camera presence, the dog made history in November when he was nominated for an Astra Award, becoming the first animal to be recognized in a major awards category generally reserved for humans.
The 9th Annual Astra Awards were held on January 10, where Indy once again made movie history, winning for Best Performance in a Horror orThriller for his role in Good Boy. Beyond his historic nomination, the canine’s performance will now go down as the first time an animal actor beat out humans in a major awards category. Indy’s win was no easy feat either, as the competition in the category was stacked, featuring Ethan Hawke in Black Phone 2, Sophie Thatcher in Companion, Allison Brie in Together, Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later, and Sally Hawkins in Bring Her Back.
Indy also treated the audience and fellow nominees to an acceptance speech video, with Good Boy director and loyal owner Leonberg accepting on the star’s behalf. The director was happy to receive the award and acknowledged the time spent by trainers and the dedicated crew in helping bring Indy’s performance to light. However, the duo is happy to joke about the win and the other actors Indy beat out, stating:
“Indy is honored to accept this award. Especially knowing that he’s standing alongside performers who didn’t even have to be bribed with treats to hit their marks.”
Is Indy Destined for Further Awards Glory?
Indy in Ben Leonberg’s GOOD BOY. Courtesy of Ben Leonberg . An Independent Film Company and Shudder Release.IFC/Shudder
Indy’s historic win at the Astra Awards could be the start of a beautiful run of acknowledgment for the performing pup. Thanks to his win, animal actors have gained a new level of recognition, showing how integral Indy’s performance was to Good Boy. The team behind the horror movie has also been seeking an Academy Award nomination for Indy, which would be unheard of for the prestigious awards, as the dog technically isn’t eligible. Still, that hasn’t stopped them from sending a letter to the Academy asking for consideration, which is written by Indy himself, stating:
“Despite my critically acclaimed role in the recent film Good Boy – I have been deemed ineligible for the Best Actor category. This news feels as if someone has yanked my leash short, as apparently, I am not a good enough boy for you? I understand you have rules to protect my human co-stars, but no such rules exist to recognize the rich and complex contributions of our canine thespians. How many great performances must go overlooked before the academy throws us a bone?”
The Academy Award nominations are likely to be announced soon, and Indy’s Good Boy performance could be among them. While that would be a surprise to many, it could also be the kind of publicity the awards ceremony needs, as it has struggled with viewership over the years. While it would be unfortunate for his nomination to be used merely to raise the show’s profile, it would still be another historic major award nomination for the talented canine. While Indy is unlikely to receive an Academy Award, he’s proven talented enough to shake up the system, and other award ceremonies may follow Astra’s lead in the future.
Release Date
October 3, 2025
Runtime
73 minutes
Director
Ben Leonberg
Writers
Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
