'Onyx the Fortuitous'

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Last year we beat the hell out of audiences with Terrifier 2. This Halloween season, Bloody Disgusting and SCREAMBOX are bringing Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls to theaters, a gateway horror film that channels the spirit of feel-good 1980s films like Beetlejuice, Ernest Scared Stupid, and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure!

Movieweb debuted the trailer this afternoon, which you can watch below.

In the film, Onyx the Fortuitous is struggling to find purpose with his soul-devouring side gig when he receives a coveted invitation to the mansion of his idol, Bartok the Great. Here, he joins Bartok and his mysterious delegation to raise the spirit of an ancient demon for a once-in-a-lifetime ritual.

The buzzed-about horror-comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls will be released exclusively in theaters for a one-night event on October 19, via Fathom Events. The film will show at 7:00pm & 10:00pm (local times) in theaters throughout the country, and fans will be treated to a special introduction from writer/director/star Andrew Bowser ahead of the film.

Bowser’s popular viral character Onyx the Fortuitous has garnered over 300M views online and has over 1M followers on TikTok, catapulting him to fame and cementing his status as a pop culture icon. Onyx fearlessly blends spine-chilling monsters with side-splitting humor, infusing the dark arts with a playful and lighthearted energy.

Based on Bowser’s viral internet character of the same name, Onyx tells the story of an amateur occultist who learns that sometimes when you raise HELL…you get a little burned.

“Misunderstood by all who know him, Marcus J. Trillbury (Bowser), aka Onyx the Fortuitous, is struggling to find purpose in his soul-devouring side gig. But just when it seems he’s ready to throw in the towel, he receives a coveted invitation to the mansion of his idol Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs; Re-Animator) for a ritual to raise the spirit of an ancient demon. Ecstatic, he joins Bartok, his mysterious delegate Farrah (Olivia Taylor Dudley; “The Magicians,” Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension) and a collection of fellow devotees as they prepare for the ceremony, but quickly it becomes apparent things are not what they seem. As Onyx and his new friends fight to keep their souls, he must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice in order to meet his destiny.”

The film also stars Barbara Crampton (You’re Next, Re-Animator), Ralph Ineson (The Witch, The Green Knight), Rivkah Reyes (School of Rock), TC Carson (Final Destination 2), Arden Myrin (Insatiable, Shameless) and Melanie Chandra (Code Black).

 Bowser (Worm, Jimmy Tupper vs. the Goatman of Bowie) also produced the film along with Clark Baker, Michael Mobley and Olivia Taylor Dudley.

Since its Sundance premiere, the energy surrounding the film has steadily grown with Bloody Disgusting’s Meagan Navarro praising the “endearing quirkiness, endless ’80s/’90s influences, and horror whimsy,” and RogerEbert.com calling it “a handmade horror gem.”

“Onyx is a hilarious throwback to 80s horror that will have audiences laughing and screaming in equal measure,” said Brad Miska, Managing Director of Bloody Disgusting/Cinedigm. “It’s Elvira: Mistress of the Dark meets Fright Night and features incredible practical effects. Our goal is to replicate the phenomenal success of Terrifier 2 but in a whole new way and with a radically different film that should have broad appeal this Halloween season. This is gateway horror at its best and you won’t want to miss this seriously sinister satire when it hits theaters on October 19.”

When asked about the theatrical news and his vault to stardom, Onyx the Fortuitous had this to say: “I can’t wait to partner with Cineverse and Fathom to bring my movie to the big screen! It will go down in history as the GREATEST HORROR TEAM UP OF ALL TIME. Unless you count Freddy vs. Jason WHICH I DON’T.”

Andrew Bowser added, “Onyx started out as a quirky digital character that I hoped would find some sort of audience, even a tiny one. To see the growth in popularity over the last few years has been incredible, and now we’re preparing for a major theatrical event. It just shows that if you’re willing to put your art or yourself out there amazing things can happen.”

Onyx premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2023 Midnight Section to rave reviews, played at Fright Fest at the Glasgow Film Festival, the Calgary Underground Film Festival, Chattanooga Film Festival, the Dark Bridges Film Festival and Fantasia International. 

Cineverse and Fathom Events will release Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls in movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). 

Horror movie fanatic who co-founded Bloody Disgusting in 2001. Producer on Southbound, V/H/S/2/3/94, SiREN, Under the Bed, and A Horrible Way to Die. Chicago-based. Horror, pizza and basketball connoisseur. Taco Bell daily. Franchise favs: Hellraiser, Child's Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Scream and Friday the 13th. Horror 365 days a year.

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You can’t talk about the history of horror without talking about Hammer Horror, with Hammer Film Productions over the years releasing countless classics including their own takes on iconic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Mummy, and their movies solidifying the likes of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing as true icons in the horror genre.

Variety reports this morning that British theater producer John Gore has acquired Hammer Films and Studios, and he’ll lead a new team aiming to revitalize the legendary brand.

“Under Gore’s management, the plan is to invest significantly in Hammer Films to breathe new life into the studio, blending the nostalgic charm of Hammer with modern cinematic style and innovation, while preserving its heritage and library,” Variety’s exclusive report details. “A new slate of films and projects will be unveiled imminently.”

First up is the Eddie Izzard-starring Doctor Jekyll, set for release later this year.

New owner John Gore said in a statement:

“Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve been enchanted by the magic of Hammer Films. Its stories, its characters and its unique place in British heritage and cinema have been a source of inspiration and wonder. Today, as I stand at the helm of this iconic studio, my commitment is twofold: to celebrate and preserve the unmatched legacy of Hammer and to usher in a new era of storytelling that captivates audiences worldwide. With significant investment and a fresh creative vision, we will ensure that the spirit of Hammer not only endures but thrives in the modern age.”

Bloody Disgusting’s Paul Farrell provides a brief company overview in the opening of his monthly column Hammer Factory, “While Hammer Studios has been in business since 1934, it was between 1955 and 1979 that it towered as one of the premier sources of edgy, gothic horror. On top of ushering the famous monsters of Universal’s horror heyday back into the public eye, resurrecting the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula and the Mummy in vivid color, the studio invited performers like Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Ingrid Pitt and so many more to step into the genre limelight. Spanning a library housing over 300 films, Hammer Studios is a key part of horror history that until recently has been far too difficult to track down.”