Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls – Movie Review (3/5)

ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS on Screambox is a new horror comedy. It’s a wild and wacky fantasy story with delicious practical effects. Read our full Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls movie review here!

ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS is a new Screambox horror comedy addition. It’s based on the viral internet character of “Onyx the Fortuitous”. Andrew Bowser is the creator of this character, so it should come as no surprise that he is also the writer, director, and star of this feature film version.

You’ll see several monsters in this movie, and I’m happy to report that practical effects are also prevalent. It’s exactly right for a horror comedy where the silly and weird are used in dark and demonic moments. Overall, this movie really is a celebration of weirdos of any and every kind. As a horror fan, I can definitely get behind that.

Continue reading our Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls movie review below. Find it on Screambox and Digital from November 14, 2023.

A wild ride of horror and comedy

One of the official descriptions of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is actually quite spot-on. It calls it a “wild ride of magic and fun with just the right mix of Satanic worship and friendship”. And that’s exactly what this horror comedy is!

In this story, we follow the amateur occultist Marcus J. Trillbury, who wants to be called Onyx The Fortuitous. He struggles quite a lot with getting anyone to actually use his chosen name. The movie opens with him making an application video to be part of a very special mission.

Onyx wants desperately to go to the mansion of his idol “Bartok the Great” for a ritual where he (along with four others) will join Bartok in raising the spirit of an ancient demon.

From the opening scene, it’s obvious that Onyx is struggling in all aspects of life and is usually misunderstood. When he is chosen for this demonic ceremony, it seems things are finally going his way. However, things aren’t quite what they seem. He will end up learning new things about what matters most to him in this world.

You have to find Onyx funny

I feel a need to mention that Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls definitely will not be for everyone. To begin with, you have to find the character of “Onyx the Fortuitous” funny. Or at the very least entertaining and possibly even charming in his own strange way.

The way he talks is something I found funny, while my viewing partner (and co-creator of Heaven of Horror) did not. As a result, every scene with Onyx started to irritate and irk rather than entertain.

The best way to describe Onyx and his particular speech pattern is to compare him to Eugene from The Walking Dead. Both have a chosen physical appearance that stands out, but it’s when they talk, that you really discover their quirks. Onyx is wackier (for lack of a better term) and speaks faster.

Still, they both have a quirky rhythm to the speech pattern and a logic that sometimes goes off the rails. Still, Onyx (like Eugene) is unapologetic himself in so many ways, which I did like. And yet, I also realize that others will not.

Watch Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls on Screambox!

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls was written and directed by its star Andrew Bowser. This whole universe and the character of Onyx in particular is his brainchild.

The runtime of 110 minutes is definitely too long for me. I tend to love it when horror comedies can stay around the 90-minute mark. There are exceptions, of course, but this one does run longer than what is optimal for its story.

As mentioned earlier, this movie is probably a “love it or hate it” for many. If you don’t like the title character of Onyx, then I can’t imagine you’ll enjoy this movie. Still, the practical effects and having the iconic Jeffrey Combs playing a key role may be enough for you to check it out.

After all, it’s on Screambox, so you should give it a shot. Also, Barbara Crampton plays the mom of Onyx and is quite entertaining – as is Ryan Stanger as his stepdad. Olivia Taylor Dudley (She Dies Tomorrow) also plays a key role as well as producing this movie with Andrew Bowser.

Again, you have to like the quirky and over-the-top humor to enjoy this. But I did. Well, for most of it, anyway.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is on Screambox and Digital from November 14, 2023.

Details

Director: Andrew Bowser
Writer: Andrew Bowser
Cast: Andrew Bowser, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jeffrey Combs, Arden Myrin, Barbara Crampton, Ralph Ineson, Rivkah Reyes, T.C. Carson