On January 9th, 2026, an eight-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Indy made history by becoming the first animal to win a major acting award. Indy is the star of the horror film Good Boy and was recently nominated for an award previously open only to humans.
Indy was the director’s dog in real life, earning him the leading role in the horror film. At the 2026 Astra Film Awards, Indy won Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller Film, beating out human actors including Ethan Hawke, Alison Brie, Sally Hawkins, Sophie Thatcher, and Alfie Williams. Earlier, on March 12th, 2025, Indy had also won the Howl of Fame award for his performance in Good Boy.
The film Good Boy is a paranormal horror film centered around a dog and his owner Ted. The story follows Indy and Ted as they move into Ted’s late grandfather’s haunted home. The movie follows Indy as he tries to save Ted from the evil entity in his new home.
What makes this movie special is that it is told from Indy’s point of view, giving a unique perspective that hasn’t been used before. After the release of the trailer, fans nervously waited for the movie to release, wondering if Indy would make it out alive? Due to the suspense, amazing graphics, and masterfully crafted storyline, Good Boy has a rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Indy’s performance in Good Boy was achieved with the use of treats, many takes, and tennis balls, to guide him through the set and hit his marks without the use of AI or CGI. When Indy’s owner, and director of the film, Ben Leonberg accepted the award on Indy’s behalf, Leonberg said that “Indy was honored to stand alongside performers who didn’t even have to be bribed with treats to hit their marks.”
