Sundance 2023 Film Festival – For those who have clamored for a reunion between horror rockstars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, well, you’re in luck, sort of. The Reanimator and From Beyond co-stars have roles in writer/director/star’s Andrew Bowser‘s zany horror comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. Based off of his viral internet character, Bowser’s feature is a wildly inventive film unlike anything you’ll see this year.

Bowser stars as Onyx the Fortuitous, a want-to-be occultist who seeks an escape from his mundane life. He works at a low-wage fast food job, where he’s bullied, and he lives with his mom, played by Crampton. Onyx’s luck turns around, however, when he’s invited to the home of Bartok the Great (Combs). There, he’s joined by other misfits and put through a series of tests to assess his capabilities. However, Bartok has sinister intentions, and in his quest to achieve immortality, he sucks the souls out of the participants, turning them into zombies. According to prophecy, however, Onyx just may be the only one who can stop him.

This film is really carried by its cast. Combs is great, turning in a hilarious performance as an absurd super villain with a leather eye patch and curly mustache. He’s no stranger to camp, considering his role as Herbert West in Reanimator.  At times, Bowser’s character can be grating, but he does have tender moments. He’s also the sort of underdog worth championing, a loser that you want to succeed. The supporting roles deserve accolades too, including Terrence ‘T.C.’ Carson‘s level-headed Duke, a literature professor who wants to push the limits of knowledge, hence his foray into the occult. Donna Pieroni is great as Marsha, a church lady who went down a dark path, and Rivkah Reyes is compelling as Mack, a tough and resourceful character who sees the potential in Onyx. Crampton is always fantastic, though her role here is unfortunately limited, though still humorous. Olivia Taylor Dudley, meanwhile, gives a decent performance as the green-haired Farrah, a conflicted assistant to Bartok. Together, this cast simply gels and really hits some high comedic notes.

This film may not be for everyone, but it’s likely to eventually gain a cult following. It has a creative storyline, some off-the-wall performances, and cool puppetry. There are also some nice nods to classics like Child’s Play and Beetlejuice. My only real gripe is the runtime. The film drags a bit heading into its final act. It gets to a point where you simply want a final battle to commence. Oh, and Crampton and Combs never appear in a scene together, which seems like a missed opportunity, considering it’s been years. Still, watching them in anything is always a delight.

Creating a feature out of a viral internet character is risky, but Bowser pulls it off. Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is an entertaining and campy romp with a relatable underdog and stellar cast. Believe in Onyx and the potential for a sequel.

7 Out of 10