The performance of dog actor, Indy, in the horror film, Good Boy, has sparked a debate on whether animal performers should also get Oscar recognition.
Since the film's theatrical release last week, Indy has been receiving praise for his performance, with some even noting that he was the reason why the film worked.
While several animal actors have given exceptional work throughout the history of cinema, there is still no organization that dedicates an award category that recognizes them. However, that might change soon thanks to the Good Boy star.
Why Indy is Asking for Oscar Consideration on Animal Actors
As reported by Variety, IFC, the studio behind Good Boy, shared an open letter pleading with the Academy to give recognition to animal actors at the Oscars, "signed" by Indy the Dog.
"Despite my critically acclaimed role in the recent film Good Boy, I have been deemed ineligible for the Best Actor category. Apparently, I am not a good enough boy for you," he said in the letter.
"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?"
Indy went on to cite several acclaimed performances from animal actors in the past and noted, "To date, we remain largely absent from your yearly accolades, unrecognized for our craft, and left in my smaller but still adequate house by the academy at large."
The dog concluded his letter with a heartfelt call to the organization: "We ask that you stop lifting your leg on the contribution of myself and the many great animal actors whose work continues to go unrecognized."
So far, the Academy has not reacted to Indy's open letter, but a lot of fans online have expressed their support for the dog and joined his plea for animal actors to get recognized.
What is Good Boy About?
Good Boy focuses on a loyal dog who moves to a rural family home with his owner, Todd, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.
Aside from Indy, the cast also includes Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Shane Jensen, Anya Krawcheck, and Stuart Rudin. Ben Leonberg directed the film, marking his feature debut.
The film has received a lot of acclaim from critics and fans, as it currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%. It is considered to be one of the best horror releases this year, and it is already the third-highest-grossing film in IFC/Shudder's history.
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