Good Boy Indy Fetches Best Performance Win Over Ethan Hawke at Astra Film Awards

It’s a ruff day for Hollywood’s elite as a four-legged star just stole the spotlight. Indy the Dog, the breakout star of the horror film 'Good Boy', has officially beaten Ethan Hawke and Alison Brie to win Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller at the 9th AnnualAstra Film Awards.

How Indy the Dog Astra Film Awards Victory Happened

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever accepted the honor via a pre-recorded message, sporting a dashing black bow tie. His owner and director, Ben Leonberg, accepted the trophy on his behalf, jokingly noting that Indy is "thrilled to be recognized for his work in a movie he does not totally understand he was in." Indy was nominated alongside heavyweights like Hawke ('The Black Phone 2') and Brie ('Together'), proving that audiences are increasingly eager for originality and reinvention in the horror genre.

A 400-Day Labor of Love

According to Leonberg, the path to the podium wasn't easy. Principal photography for 'Good Boy' spanned over 400 days across three years. The director shared that controlling Indy’s movements was a constant challenge, especially when the pup would gleefully run toward the "supernatural force" instead of acting scared. However, this raw energy helped the trailer exceed 1 million views, leading to an expanded theatrical opening.