Cineverse and Fathom Events announced today that the buzzed-about horror-comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls will be released exclusively in theaters for a one-night event this October.
Based on Bowser’s viral internet character of the same name and in the spirit of films such as Beetlejuice, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and Ernest Scared Stupid, 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 cast includes 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.
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).
