Indy the dog wins Astra Award for Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller

Movieweb reports that Indy, the canine star of the horror film Good Boy, won the Astra Award for Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller at the 9th Annual Astra Awards held on January 10. Indy had made history in November as the first animal nominated in a major awards category generally reserved for humans, and at the ceremony the dog beat human nominees including Ethan Hawke (Black Phone 2), Sophie Thatcher (Companion), Allison Brie (Together), Alfie Williams (28 Years Later) and Sally Hawkins (Bring Her Back).

The film's director and Indy's owner, Ben Leonberg, accepted the award on the dog's behalf after an acceptance video, thanked trainers and crew, and joked: "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." The Good Boy team has also sent a letter to the Academy seeking consideration for Indy for Best Actor, despite the dog technically being ineligible; the letter, presented as written "by Indy himself," says in part: "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.

Key Topics

Culture, Indy, Good Boy, Ben Leonberg, Astra Awards, Ethan Hawke