Good Boy star Indy thinks it’s barking mad that the Oscars aren’t considering animal actors for awards in a letter penned to the Academy.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever appears in the terrifying paranormal horror film, which hits cinemas today, telling the story of a haunted home from a dog’s perspective.
Indy just so happens to be owned by director Ben Leonberg and his wife, producer Kari Fischer, and has been praised time and time again for his scene-stealing performance in the film.
Ahead of awards season, IFC has directed an open letter to the Academy, signed by Indy, asking them to consider the inclusion of animal actors in the prestigious ceremony.
In the letter, obtained by Variety, they begin: ‘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.’
It continues: ‘I understand you have rules to protect my human co-stars, but no such rules exist to recognise the rich and complex contributions of our canine thespians.
‘How many great performances must go overlooked before the academy throws us a bone?’
They go on to praise other legendary animal actors, including Jed the wolf-dog in White Fang, the whale in Free Willy, and the pig in Babe.
‘As a young pup, I was forever changed by Jed the wolf-dog’s performance in White Fang. That was the moment I first knew: I wanted to chase my own Hollywood dreams.
‘From Free Willy to Babe, The Birds to War Horse – animal actors have carried emotional arcs, and in some instances, entire franchises – all while suffering this indifference and disregard from the two-legged actor community at large.’
Indy pointed out that the animal actor community goes largely overlooked at the world’s biggest film awards.
Metro’s verdict on Good Boy
Freelance entertainment writer Rebecca Sayce writes in her review:
Using man’s best friend as Good Boy’s focus is not only an engaging twist in the horror genre, but it’s a choice that ups the stakes tenfold.
Sure, we may care about Todd’s plight as malevolent forces target the vulnerable, sick man, but even the most hard of hearts will find their bottom lip quivering when Indy whines in fear.
It has long been theorised that dogs can sense beings beyond our comprehension, and it’s that which makes Indy the perfect hero, as he senses the danger long before her beloved owner does – at which point, it’s far too late.
The trope allows tension to bubble from the moment Indy first gazes into the distance and lets out a bark, seemingly at nothing. Long before the skin-crawling spectre is seen onscreen, I found myself hiding behind my pillow and checking each inch of the screen for what Indy had discovered.
But Good Boy isn’t just terrifying; it is an emotional rollercoaster detailing the devotion Indy has for his owner, even when his debilitating health issues and creeping madness in the house lead him to become neglectful.
‘So now, I must quietly sit beside the dinner table of the feast of the Academy Awards, awaiting to compete against my fellow artists,’ the letter continues.
‘We ask that you stop lifting your leg on the contribution of myself and the many great animal actors whose work continues to go unrecognised.’
They sign off with ‘heartfelt hope, deepest respect, and puppy dog eyes’, but as yet, it is unclear whether the letter will spark any major change at the Oscars in 2026.
However, fans have taken to social media to air their hopes that Indy will snatch an award.
‘Indy deserves an Oscar and a lifetime supply of treats,’ 2lastvibes wrote on X.
Others said it was obvious he was ‘the best actor of the year’, while some posted that if there was a category for animals, it would be ‘too hard to pick just one winner.’
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HelloElara posted: ‘Indy the Dog dragging the Oscars with a paw-signed letter? That’s already the campaign of the year.’
Carlos Lombardi reasoned: ‘Indy’s performance in Good Boy is impressive. He doesn’t just act, he feels. A dog with more expression than many actors out there.’
‘Give that dog his statue he carried the whole movie,’ ArabianCrave added.
Good Boy has been the movie on genre fans’ lips since its world premiere at SXSW Festival earlier this year, earning itself an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing.
It follows Indy and her owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), as they move to his grandfather’s (Larry Fessenden) home after Todd suffers a mysterious medical emergency, despite his sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman), warning them away from the home for fear it is haunted.
It doesn’t take long for our beloved four-legged protagonist to prove that Vera’s worries are not unfounded as supernatural forces lurking in the shadows harass Indy and Todd, leaving the pup to protect the person he loves most.
Good Boy is in cinemas now.
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