Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls

I loved this movie. Mostly because I love the Onyx character, and I think the way he is incorporated as a main character in this horror/comedy is fantastic.

This is a grade-A b-movie. Like, it's not good. But I think they knew it wasn't going to be a fantastic movie when making it, so they were able to lean into the punches a little and I think it worked really well.

What are you going to do with a film where the protagonist is viscerally awkward and weird? You're going make it weird and fun as possible! So that's what they did. Decent storytelling, decent acting, good world building, consistent effects, and some clever writing.

Like this is the best outcome anyone can expect from an internet meme character. I'm happy they made this and I want to see more from them. I would casually watch this in show form.

On-par with Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.

There's a big difference between saying funny things and trying to say things in a funny way. The lead actor (who I guess is also behind this movie) apparently thinks that if he says his lines in what he thinks is a funny way, that they will be funny.

In actuality, if he'd delivered the same lines completely straight, it might've worked. This is a perfect example of having a great idea, but not having the acting chops to pull it off creatively. I understand the notion of wanting to be the main guy in something that you yourself created, but sometimes you've got to hand over the reins to someone else.

At first I thought maybe he was just putting on this delivery for the opening bit (a taped video), but then it continued when he was talking to his parents, so I gave up on the flick at that point.

Maybe some people will enjoy it, but for me it was just plain hokey.

Onyx The Fortuitous is a wonderfully cheesy, low budget, horror comedy, created by Andrew Bowser.

A creator who is best known for his short horror films- and work on youtube- in which he plays a series of hilariously goofy, endearingly annoying, characters...inspired by the likes of Sacha Baren Cohen, Jack Black, and Tom Green.

Meaning, not only did he write and direct this film...he also plays the main character Marcus aka Onyx The Fortuitous.

An autistic fast food worker, who is obsessed with his childhood hero...satanist, Bartok The Great.

Thus, when he wins a contest to visit Bartok's home- with a select group of other individuals- he hops on the oppourtunity.

Unaware that Bartok plans to use them to raise an ancient demon...by harvesting their souls.

Bartok claims they are each the reincarnation of a roleplayer in the story of a grimoire he possesses.

Luring them into his trap, under the promise of immortality.

Until, Onyx unwittingly uncovers the ruse, after witnessing the murder of one of his fellow visitors.

Which puts the rest of the group on a path to play Bartok, before he plays them...

Bowser's characters generally have an annoyingly innocent charm to them...and Onyx- a character he developed for a youtube series in 2020- is no different.

So...seeing him get a chance to work them into a feature length film for the first time, is quite the treat!

Because not only is this a complete and utter cheesefest.

It also has some really cool Henson-style creatures...inspired by some of his favourite horror and comedy icons.

Like the ghouls- which look like a combination of the monsters from They Live! And Mars Attacks!; while the monster-in-a-box seems to act as a reference to the infamous Spaulding Gray.

Is it a masterpiece?

Of course not.

It is, however, a youth friendly horror-comedy on par with the likes of Tenacious D And The Pick Of Destiny, for example.

I, for one, was entertained.

And if you aren't too...then you might be taking life a little too seriously.

Because this is great fun!

6.5 out of 10.

I liked this movie except for the lead actor Andrew Bowser who almost sinks the movie all by himself. He is also the director and the writer. Maybe he should stick to directing and leave the acting to someone else. Every time a good scene was being shown Mr. Bowser started acting his part and ruined the scene. If someone else had been cast as the lead actor I would have rated this movie a lot higher than the 6 stars I am giving it. The only reason I am giving this movie a 6 stars at all is because of the other actors who are doing a great job in their parts. This movie is entertaining and I wasn't bored one bit. Again it's a good movie with a bad lead actor.

I watched this without knowing anything about it and found it to be well made and fun with a good cast and great practical effects.

The only thing I didn't like was the protagonist, which is a shame. I understand he's supposed to be awkward but right from the bat he's extremely annoying and very unlikeable, his acting is too much over the top, and the character doesn't improve or develop in any way through the story.

The rest of the cast is not so bad, but feel like they're just in there as a filler.

What really made me watch and enjoy the whole film was Jeffrey Combs and Olivia Taylor Dudley. They are the high points and it's worth watching for the two of them.

This film had a lot more potential, It could have been rated higher if the main protagonist was more likeable (not such a loser), or he developed and grew in some positive way through the story. Or if the actor played it normal/straight, and not like a caricature.

The humor is good for a chuckle, but it's sometimes too childish. If it had been straight or dry humor like in the original Ghostbusters, it would have been amazing.