Onyx the Fortuitous is a YouTube video character made famous through wacky videos by Andrew Bowser. The odd occultist has gathered over 250,000 subscribers on the channel BowserVids. Realising the character’s popularity, Bowser has spent the last few years hard at work on a feature film, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls which just received its world premiere at Sundance. Financed via a successful Kickstarter campaign, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls retains the wry and silly sense of humour that made the YouTube clips so compelling.
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is wonderfully wacky. It plays like a demon-summoning Willy Wonka and is equally as fun of awe and whimsy. The story begins with Onyx (played once more by Bowser), being selected by his Occult hero, Bartok the Great (Jeffery Combs), as a helper for a dark spell. One of five participants to be chosen, Onyx heads to Bartok’s mansion for a weekend of macabre rituals. Upon arrival he and his fellow guests are subjected to a series of tests to prove they are worthy. As the big ritual approaches, Onyx discovers his part in it might hold the key to humanity’s survival.
Eccentric fast-food worker Onyx is instantly loveable, Bowser doing brilliant work to win the audience over. Like all odd comedy characters, Onyx is distinctive and hard to forget. Visually, Onyx lands somewhere between older emo, failed Vegas magician, and Dungeons and Dragons super-fan. It’s a hard look to pull-off, but Bowser manages it. Another unique aspect of Onyx is his voice and line-delivery. Those that are familiar with the videos of Onyx on YouTube will be aware that he has a very specific way of speaking. His strange, stilted, overly exaggerated pronunciation and speech pattern will take new viewers a moment to adapt to, but Bowser manages to win the crowd over moving Onyx from irritating to endearing. He is like a blend of Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World; a true loveable loser that the audience can’t help but root for.
It isn’t just Onyx that charms, the whole film is filled with a child-like sense of silly and fun. The plot is zany enough to belong in a Saturday cartoon and full of hilarious moments to boot. There is a standout parody of a music video for a very popular nineties song, from a food name based singer that is electric. Then there’s the inclusion of Rescue Rangers’ Gadget (who Onyx’s YouTube fans will know holds a special place in Onyx’s heart). It’s a nostalgic jolt to those of us of a certain age, but one that still plays for massive laughs. Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls later mixes in some gnarly puppet work to maximise that kids TV show on crack sensation. The final feather in Onyx’s cap is the inclusion of, not only Jeffrey Combs, who hams it up beautifully as Bartok, but also his Re-Animator co-star, Barbara Crampton.
Years in the making, Andrew Bowser and his dedicated cast and crew have rewarded Kickstarter investor’s money with a heartfelt and hilarious wacky adventure. Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a joyous celebration of silliness that will awaken your inner child.
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls was reviewed at Sundance Film Festival 2023. It will screen next at Glasgow FrightFest on 11th March.
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls
Summary
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls wears its heart on its sleeve whilst gleefully playing for laughs.
