Indy, the breakout canine star of Ben Leonberg’s critically acclaimed indie horror hit Good Boy, has signed an open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, calling for the inclusion of animals in the Best Actor category at the Oscars. The pooch protagonist (backed by indie studio IFC) is urging the organization to throw him a bone and give his paw-fect performance in the film some awards consideration. The plea is not only for himself, but also on behalf of all other dogs, four-legged performers, and furry screen stars that might have been snubbed in years gone by, as well as those that have yet to step into the spotlight.
“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,” Indy asserted in the letter obtained by Variety. “I understand you have rules to protect my human co-stars, but no such rules exist to recognize the rich and complex contributions of our canine thespians. How many great performances must go overlooked before the academy throws us a bone?”
Good Boy premiered to rave reviews at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) in March before being rolled out in theaters in October. The movie is told entirely from the perspective of Indy, who senses a malevolent supernatural force in his owner’s home and attempts to warn them of the dangers lurking inside their newly inherited residence. There is no doubt that Indy is the star of the show, so IFC’s efforts to secure awards recognition for him are not in vain. The studio’s campaign is further bolstered by a $2.2 million box office opening and strong critical acclaim, resulting in a 90% approval rating for the film on Rotten Tomatoes.
More to come…
- Release Date
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October 3, 2025
- Runtime
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73 minutes
- Director
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Ben Leonberg
- Writers
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Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg
