A dog actor named Indy has won Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller at the 2026 Astra Film Awards, marking a rare achievement for a non‑human performer. The award was presented on 10 January in Los Angeles, recognising Indy’s role in the psychological horror film Good Boy.
The honor places Indy alongside the film’s cast and highlights an unusual win in a category typically dominated by human actors. The Astra jury awards performances across horror and thriller films released over the past year.
Good Boy follows a man and his dog who become isolated in a remote house, with much of the film’s tension conveyed through the dog’s reactions to unseen threats. Indy’s performance relies on physical expression, movement and sustained screen presence, rather than dialogue.
Animal actors are rarely recognised with formal acting awards, making the win notable. Indy was selected over several well‑known human performers in the category, drawing attention from film fans and industry observers.
The Astra Film Awards, formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association Awards, are voted on by a group of film critics and entertainment journalists. In recent years, the organisation has placed greater focus on horror and thriller genres, which are often overlooked by larger awards bodies.
Indy’s win is the first time an animal has received Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller at the Astra Film Awards, marking a historic moment for the ceremony.
