Indy the Dog fetches the gold in unexpected win for performance in horror film Good Boy in apparent upset

Awards season is in full swing as last year's hottest films hit the stage and compete for the gold at some of the most prestigious award shows in the industry. Though every year features a shocking win or two, the outcome for a certain category at the Astra Film Awards in Los Angeles may have taken the cake for the most shocking win of the season.

On the evening of January 9th, the 9th Annual Astra Film Awards (formerly known as the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society Awards) were held. The night was packed with immense talent from the hardworking teams of last year's hottest films such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, Sentimental Value, and many more. And unlike the Oscars, the Astra Awards actually acknowledge the horror genre, specifically with their category Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller, in which Indy the Dog was nominated for his performance in Good Boy. Indy the dog won best performance in this category, beating out stars Alison Brie (Together), Sally Hawkins (Bring Her Back), Sophie Thatcher (Companion), Alfiie Williams (28 Years Later) and Ethan Hawke (The Black Phone 2).

While this news story has some laughs in it (I mean how often do you get to say that Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke got beaten by a dog in an acting competition?), there have been some who found it unjust and even offensive to the human nominees. However, none of the actual nominees have expressed any disappointment in the loss (I'm sure they have a good sense of humor about it). Personally, I say the win is as justified as any other win at the Astra Awards that night, perhaps even more so. The behind-the-scene videos of the film's production displayed the process of giving Indy the Dog acting cues and direction, which made the film that much more engaging and intense.

Good Boy director and Indy the Dog's owner Ben Leonberg posted an acceptance speech video on behalf of Indy in which he said the following. "We are so grateful and thrilled to recognize his work in a movie he doesn't totally understand he was in. This award and incredible group of nominees reflects the freedom that horror gives performers and in our case trainers to play, experiment, and to push the boundaries. This is a genre fueled by originality and reinvention and by audiences who are the most eager to see something new. And to be recognized along such amazing actors as Alison Brie, Ethan Hawke, Sophie Thatcher, Sally Hawkins and Alfie Williams is incredible. Indy is honored to accept this reward, especially knowing that he's standing alongside performers who didn't even need to be bribed with treats to hit their marks. Indie and I also have to thank the humans who made his performance possible. To Good Boy's amazing cast and crew, your patience, generosity, and belief made every moment work on screen. Indie quite literally could not have done this without you. Thank you again, we are so, so delighted."

The recent win has also opened up a larger discussion about giving recognition to more animal performers and animal trainers in film and television. With recent news that Indy the Dog's performance is deemed ineligible for the Best Actor category by the Academy, fans have started a petition to throw the dog a bone with an honorary Oscar. Personally, I believe it's high time we recognize the performances our non-human actors give for our entertainment, especially in horror. Can we give a retroactive award to the feline who portrayed Church the Cat in Pet Sematary? What about the ensemble cast of feathered menaces in Hitchcock's The Birds? With the Oscar nominations releasing later this month, it's hard to say whether there's time for the Academy to reconsider, but as we've seen in this genre (and in this year's award season), anything is possible.

Good Boy follows a dog as he is taken to a haunted cabin and must brave the supernatural to save his owner. The entirety of the film is shot from the perspective of dog and is available to stream on Shudder right now.