Delving into the Subculture of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls

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Onyx the Fortuitous, also known as Onyx the Fortuitous IV, is a fictional character portrayed by comedian and actor Andrew Bowser. Onyx is a self-professed expert in the occult and paranormal, often seen wearing a black robe and sporting a wide-brimmed hat. He has gained a cult following through his popular YouTube series, "Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls," where he plays a role-playing game with a group of friends. The premise of the show revolves around Onyx and his friends embarking on quests to search for the elusive Talisman of Souls, a powerful artifact that grants its possessor immense power. Each episode sees the group face various challenges and encounters, delving into dark and mysterious locations in their pursuit of the talisman. Onyx's character is known for his eccentric personality, over-the-top theatrics, and unconventional approach to problem-solving.


“I always wanted the creatures to be amplified and heightened and not be too grounded because that’s the tone of the Onyx world. There might be an emotional grounding, but everything else is pretty amplified,” Andrew Bowser explains. “But I really didn’t picture all of those characters being puppets until I reached out to Adam Dougherty, the creature designer, to do the Beefy Bad Boy character. He read the script and said, ‘Well, why aren’t they all puppets?’ I said, ‘Well, I don’t know, Adam, because I hadn’t had you read the script yet.’ So he’s the one that said, ‘What if they were all puppets?’ And for the most part, they are.”

But I really didn t picture all of those characters being puppets until I reached out to Adam Dougherty, the creature designer, to do the Beefy Bad Boy character. But this film s success boils down to the comedy; extending a YouTube routine into a feature is a daunting feat, and ultimately Bowser s work here grows overlong before the third act.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls players

Onyx's character is known for his eccentric personality, over-the-top theatrics, and unconventional approach to problem-solving. He often relies on his supposed knowledge of the occult to guide the group, despite his evident lack of actual expertise. This comedic element adds to the entertainment value of the show, making it a fan favorite among viewers.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a cringe comedy as overlong as its title

Andrew Bowser’s Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is the rare movie that, from the very first scene, lets audiences know that they’re either going to love it or hate it.

Viewers familiar with Onyx, Bowser’s weirdo Satanist YouTube character, will likely fall into the former category; everyone else, flip a coin. Onyx’s misadventures are documented through skits and bits on Bowser’s 10-year-old channel, BowserVids, and you may benefit from browsing the library before tuning in for 100 minutes of the schtick. Then again, you may be feeling bold.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a locus for Bowser’s sense of humor and his fondness for a broad array of 1980s pop cultural ephemera: Saturday morning cartoons, Ghostbusters and The Goonies, Amblin Entertainment, Beetlejuice especially. His influences fall neatly in line with recent haunted house slapstick productions, too, like the Goosebumps films, and Eli Roth’s woefully underloved The House with a Clock in Its Walls – movies that don’t skimp on horror, but have an emphasis on lighthearted fun. But everyone has their own definition of fun. Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls might not fit yours.

Andrew Bowser stars as everyone’s favorite — or least favorite — Satanist internet character.

Sundance

Onyx, real name Marcus J. Trillbury, dwells in his warlock’s lair, surrounded by an army of action figures, heavy metal posters, and other bric-a-brac to indicate his alignment with devilry. The lair, of course, is his bedroom in his mother Nancy’s (Barbara Crampton) house, and he’s a warlock the way pro gamers are athletes, meaning “not at all.” Marcus is a loser. He works a dead-end job at a burger joint, where he takes as much pride in his employment as possible. He gamely hides his loserdom, though, expressing himself in spectacularly purple language ending on rising intones, so even his loudest declarations of Satanic loyalty sound like he’s asking permission.

But Onyx has high aspirations. He’s entered a contest to meet his idol, Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs), a TV personality and elder statesman in the field of dark magics. In no time at all, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls lets the viewer know the contest’s results: For once in his life, Onyx is a winner. Off he goes to Bartok’s mansion with his four fellow winners, Jesminder (Melanie Chandra), Shelley (Arden Myrin), Mr. Duke (Terrence ‘T.C.’ Carson), and Mack (Rivkah Reyes), likewise similarly motivated by the pursuit of evil for their own reasons, and each in their own ways.

Bartok has gathered the quintet to aid in a ritual that, if completed, will summon a demon and reward them all with power untold, but it’s made clear upfront that Bartok has a hidden agenda, and also that his succubus assistant Farrah (Olivia Taylor Dudley) doesn’t much care for that agenda. In all of this, Onyx himself is the naif. Bowser’s focus is on him, naturally; the marquee reads “Onyx,” after all. But his one-way fanboy relationship to Bartok renders him blissfully unaware of literally everything going on around him, good and ill, and likewise funnels Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls into a very specific kind of comedy.

Cringe humor is a broad style. You can start with The Office, either British or American, and arrive at, for instance, the work of Gregg Turkington and Tim Heidecker. Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls lies somewhere toward the Office end of that spectrum on account of Onyx’s painful obliviousness, but with the added effect of his manchild background. Nerdery is in, and has been for close to a decade, as comic books and Dungeons & Dragons have been reclaimed as mainstream-acceptable pastimes. But that doesn’t make Onyx himself, or the jokes Bowser sets up, widely palatable, and if the jokes don’t land for you, nothing else here will.

If the humor doesn’t land for you, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is not your movie.

Sundance

Bowser contents himself with Onyx being Onyx for about the first hour, and then pivots on an emotional axis with a tender moment between him and Mack, where the character’s squirrelly accent drops and he lets the real Marcus come out; it’s sweet, and honest, and frankly feels like Bowser speaking for a generation of men like Onyx (and possibly Bowser himself) who grew up lonely because their interests didn’t mesh with others’ interests. The moment lingers for the rest of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls’ running time and, if you make it that far, even recasts the story preceding it. Friendship is a treasure.

Another treasure: The monsters and puppets and animatronics that pepper the film’s plot. What a joy to see physical critters on screen when it’s so damn easy to turn to CGI instead; a demon in a box, a growing army of ghouls, Farrah in her true form, Onyx as a cross between a Chip ‘n Dale’s Rescue Rangers character and Meat Loaf in the video for “I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That),” recreated by Bowers and Dudley, all add tactile pleasure to Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, an element worth savoring whether or not the gags tickle you. They have mass. They have presence. You feel like you can reach through the screen and touch them.

The sensation is delightful, and one of the best achievements horror cinema can strive for regardless of their secondary genre. Horror has to involve its audience on a primal level. The FX work in Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls hits that goal, and it’d be a waste if Bowser chose not to try his hand at making more monster movies in the future. But this film’s success boils down to the comedy; extending a YouTube routine into a feature is a daunting feat, and ultimately Bowser’s work here grows overlong before the third act. At 70 or so minutes, the foray into cinema might have landed better. At 148, it’s too much.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls premiered at Sundance on January 23.

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Who is Onyx the Fortuitous? You may know him as “Weird Gamer Guy,” “Weird Satanist Guy” or “Weird Arby’s Guy.” This week, the viral sensation officially becomes a movie star.
Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls players

The Talisman of Souls players consist of a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities and quirks. Onyx's companions include Warbringer, a fearless warrior with a penchant for chaotic battle tactics, and Willow, a sly and mysterious thief skilled in stealth and deception. The group dynamic is further enhanced by the inclusion of other characters such as Shadeflame, a mystical sorcerer with the power to manipulate shadows, and Jinx, a mischievous and unpredictable trickster. The show combines elements of comedy and fantasy, immersing viewers in a world of magic and adventure. Through their interactive storytelling and improvisation, Onyx and his friends create an engaging and entertaining experience for their audience. The Talisman of Souls players have developed a strong following, with fans eagerly awaiting new episodes and speculating about the fate of their favorite characters. Overall, "Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls" and its players have successfully captured the attention of viewers through their unique blend of humor, fantasy, and storytelling. Through the persona of Onyx the Fortuitous and the colorful cast of characters, the show has carved a niche for itself in the realm of online entertainment, captivating audiences with its comedic charm and imaginative adventures..

Reviews for "Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls: A Guide for New Players"

1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls players" because I heard it was a comedy series. However, I was disappointed by the lack of humor in the show. The jokes fell flat, and the comedic timing was off. The characters were also not well-developed, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Overall, I was let down by this series and would not recommend it to others looking for a good laugh.
2. John - 1/5 - "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls players" is a complete waste of time. The plot is confusing and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow what is happening. The acting is also mediocre at best, with the actors delivering their lines in a wooden manner. Furthermore, the special effects are low-budget and laughable. I did not enjoy a single moment of watching this series and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls players" to be incredibly slow-paced and boring. The story took too long to progress, and the dialogue dragged on without any real purpose. The characters lacked depth and seemed one-dimensional. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging series, but unfortunately, this was not the case. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.

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