Remember Jenny the Donkey? She Should Have An Oscar

The Internet’s Infatuation With The Banshees of Inisherin Star Should’ve Been the Catalyst for a “Best Performance by an Animal” Category at the Oscars

Photo: Getty / Myung J. Chun

I’m not sure they want to, or have ever wanted to, but if the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ever wants to enforce the will of the people, they’ll add a “Best Performance by an Animal” category to their ceremony - something they should have done long ago.

Think back to memorable performances like Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, or Sigourney Weaver in Alien. Now, think about who they had by their side. No, not Margaret Hamilton or George Peppard or John Hurt.

Think smaller.

For example, think about where Dorothy would be without, let's say, Toto. Would she have even dreamed her way to Oz without Miss Gulch’s vendetta against her poor dog? Do you think we'd fully understand Holly Golightly without Cat? Would the crew of the Nostromo have discovered the truth about their infiltrators without Jonesy?

Yet, despite these storied contributions to film, the Academy refuses to budge on a new category honoring the work of animal actors. Don't you think Shadow of Homeward Bound fame deserved a little recognition? I thought for sure after the internet sensation that was Jenny the Donkey from 2022’s The Banshees of Inisherin, we'd finally see the day. We weren't so lucky. Now, I fear the common animal - whether they be donkey, dog, or other critter - will never get their flowers at the Oscars.

A year removed from the disappointment of Jenny, another awards campaign cycle is flourishing. Ryan Gosling is out here releasing maybe one-too-many versions of the power ballad, “I’m Just Ken.” Paul Giamatti is hunched over a burger at In-N-Out, using his Golden Globe to hold down napkins. Christopher Nolan is (playfully) calling out Peloton instructors!

Only one thing could improve such a season: Animals. It’s time we evolve past the celebrity puppy interviews of the past and step into the future with animal nominees.

While I have some renewed hope in the form of Anatomy of a Fall’s Snoop (played by noted good boy, Messi) attending the Oscars luncheon, I’ve come to terms with delighting in these performances only to see them go unrecognized.

So, until the Academy acknowledges the work of our furry, scaly friends, here are a few worthy ones that should qualify for the totally fake, but hopefully real some day, award for Outstanding Performance by an Animal in a Motion Picture…

Photo: A24

Dog as “Cookie” in Talk to Me

One of the most talked about animals of the year, and I couldn’t even find their name! Regardless, they deserve to be in this category for the sheer shock their likeness had to endure.

While they didn’t actually participate in one of the film’s more disturbing sequences, it was their face attached to the action. Plus, they did have to lick a treat to death for the scene to be convincing with CGI so…

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Aggie as “Mr. Linguini” in Quiz Lady

Mr. Linguini is essential to both Quiz Lady and to the arc of both its characters. That's why Aggie’s performance as the aptly-named, doughy companion to Awkwafina’s “Anne,” is one of the year’s best.

We love an animal who moves the plot along, but not too quickly, or else they'd miss the chance to nap. More than that, we love an animal who is good to work with.

“She’s a grande old dame,” Quiz Lady producer Jen D’Angelo told Collider. “She always makes me laugh because just the sound of a pug snoring, there's nothing funnier, more disruptive, or more soothing. It’s all three.”

Photo: Marvel

Tango and Nemo as “Goose” in The Marvels

A standout in the original Captain Marvel, “Goose” - played then by Reggie the Tabby Cat - was back for more space travel in The Marvels. This time, a seemingly normal Felis catus of Earth, was played by the dynamic duo, Tango and Nemo.

As many human actors know, it’s not easy working with green and blue screens, but that didn’t stop Tango and Nemo from delivering extremely cute, oftentimes silly, performances alongside Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson whom they also have incredible chemistry with.

Don’t worry though, cat trainer Jo Vaughan assured Entertainment Weekly there was, “no diva behavior.”

In fact, despite being members of one of the most popular IP machines in Hollywood, these cats were, “literally oblivious.”

“They’re just off doing their own thing,” said Vaughan.

Photo: MUBI

Alma as “Chaplain” in Fallen Leaves

We talk all the time about successful nepo babies. You know, Robert Downey Jr., Zoë Kravitz, Miley Cyrus. The list could go on and on. However, right now I want to draw your attention to a very important child of an industry insider. One who just so happens to be on this list. One by the name of Alma.

That’s right, the pup who plays the small and steady “Chaplain” in Fallen Leaves is none other than the pet of the film’s director, Aki Kaurismäki. You shouldn’t hold that against her though. Especially given the vital role she plays in giving our main protagonist some much-needed companionship.

That protagonist, played by Alma Pöysti, had this to say about her canine colleague in Vulture: “It just turned out that she’s a fantastic actress, and very professional. She’s got a really high level of concentration. This is her debut, but she has a sense of rhythm. She was making these very strong artistic choices that were completely independent.”

Photo: Neon

Messi as “Snoop” in Anatomy of a Fall

As if playing both a stalwart companion and an invaluable service dog weren’t enough, Messi also has to pretend to be poisoned in this movie. This sounds silly because we’re discussing an acting performance from a dog, but it really is that good.

When she came face-to-face with Messi at the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, Emma Stone was also in awe.

“It was crazy,” she told Variety, recounting the moment Messi showed off his version of the age-old “play dead” bit in front of the room.

There’s not much else to say about Messi’s turn as “Snoop.” As they say, the genius is right there in the work. It’s this work that won him the Palm Dog Award during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and it’s this work that leads me to name him winner of Outstanding Performance by an Animal in a Motion Picture.

Was this all a bit ridiculous? Well to you I ask, isn’t it all kind of made up anyway? Why not engrave a few more statues and enhance the broadcast with a couple more cute faces? Who can forget the look of pure delight on Colin Farrell’s face when he saw Jenny again for the first time since filming? Don’t you want more of that? Even if it was a ruse cooked up by Jimmy Kimmel and the telecast’s writers.