Every once in a while a new actor emerges of such rawhide talent, bearing such a pawsitively mesmerizing screen presence, that their star immediately rises and shakes out Hollywood. So it is with Indy the dog, whose breakthrough leading role in last year’s spooky flick Good Boy has just earned him the treat of Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller at the 9th Annual Astra Film Awards. Indy pulled off this trick in his debut film! And not only did he win over a pack of all-human actors — two of them are Oscar nominees! Unfortunately, Indy couldn’t be there in person to accept his award in Beverly Hills last Friday. (Much like Michelle Williams was unable to attend the Golden Globes and accept her Best Actress win for Dying for Sex — y’all KNOW I was beside myself with joy over that show finally getting some awards-love!) Instead, Indy put on his sharpest bow tie and sent in a video alongside his human/director, Ben Leonberg.
Here’s the full breakdown of the Astra Film awards 2026 category…
Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller:
*Indy the Dog – Good Boy as himself – WINNER
*Alison Brie – Together as Millie Wilson
*Ethan Hawke – Black Phone 2 as The Grabber
*Sally Hawkins – Bring Her Back as Laura
*Sophie Thatcher – Companion as Iris
*Alfie Williams – 28 Years Later as SpikeWikipedia explains, “Nominated for Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller for his performance in Good Boy, Indy the Dog’s nomination made film award history, as Indy is now the first canine to be nominated for a major film acting award that had previously recognized only human talent. Indy ultimately won the award, making further history as the first animal to win a major film acting award. Though not in attendance, the film’s director and owner of Indy, Ben Leonberg, accepted the award via an acceptance speech video, with Indy by his side.”
Ben Leonberg admits in the video that Indy is “being recognized for his work in a movie that he doesn’t understand he was in.” As Leonberg explained to Bloody Disgusting last year, “It surprises a lot of people to learn that Indy only knows a handful of tricks and commands—his ‘performance’ isn’t created through conventional training. Instead, it was about being ready with the camera in the right place at the right time, and coaxing him using a combination of everyday commands, weird sounds, physical gestures, and food. Once those moments were edited together, they created the illusion of a performance.”
“The ‘scary’ scenes were always the most fun for Indy and the most creatively fulfilling for me,” Leonberg continued. “What looks like frightened barking or paralyzing fear onscreen is, in reality, Indy staring down a treat or a tennis ball just off camera that he really wants. (And which he got as soon as we ‘cut’). Thanks to the magic of filmmaking and juxtaposition of disparate shots, the audience projects their own emotions onto those puppy-dog eyes.”
Arf, typical director disrespecting and blabbing about the actor’s process. “Being recognized for his work in a movie that he doesn’t understand he was in.” What, is that supposed to be some sort of dig at method acting?? Just because it looked effortless and immersive, doesn’t mean Indy didn’t work at his craft! That’s like all the people who denigrate the artistry of Cary Grant by saying “he just played himself onscreen.” It took discipline and focus for Indy to maintain the intimacy with the camera, before relaxing with a treat or tennis ball once they called cut. This award recognition may be surprising to many folks, but not to those of us who read the reviews when Good Boy came out in October. For Spot’s sake, IndieWire called IndyDog “One of the most emotive actors of his generation — regardless of species”!!! This canine thespian can wag his tail into any role right now. Personally, I have my paws crossed for a drama or period piece with Messi, who’s kept a low profile since Anatomy of a Fall.
Bravo, Indy! You earned this and are indeed a very good boy.
PS — I can’t believe a DIRECTOR lit that acceptance video so poorly!
Photos via Instagram
Hahahahah. He was “recognized for a movie he doesnt even know he was in”.
And yet he won over a bunch of humans who knew they were in a movie 😂🤣
Don’t denigrate his talent!
Pawsitively made my day! Good boy indeed!
To be pawtected at all costs 🥰
I enjoyed the movie and that was due to Indy’s performance. So much expression on that little face! In the credits, they show you how they filmed him vs how it appears on the screen with lighting and music.
Ugh, this is like a parent being competitive with, instead of proud of, their child. The dad who uses his kid scoring an amazing goal in little league soccer to take credit for teaching them “all they know” and tell you how they were an “even better” player once upon a time.
This dude can save it. All the praise for Indy, who clearly needs to upgrade his “management.”