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Touch Me challenges traditional categorization, provoking immediate intrigue. On the surface, it appears as a psychosexual sci-fi horror film, but like its shape-shifting alien Brian—who transitions from compassionate healer to menacing predator—it transforms into something more complex and disturbing. Writer-director Addison Heimann, known for Hypochondriac (2022), presents a film where genre and narrative intertwine like an unsettling hallucination.

The story centers on Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley), a struggling young woman managing Ocd and past trauma, who becomes connected with an alien—Brian (Lou Taylor Pucci)—whose touch temporarily alleviates her deepest psychological burdens. Joey and her close friend Craig (Jordan Gavaris) become entangled in the seductive, mysterious allure of this otherworldly being. It represents intimacy, healing, and control—and ultimately, profound complications.

The film explores deeper themes about contemporary experiences, examining how individuals confront inner turmoil through external mechanisms. It critiques societal patterns of seeking comfort and escape, questioning our approaches to wellness,...

“Touch Me” starts intriguingly with a long scene set in a therapist’s office. Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley), who suffers from Ocd and childhood trauma, recounts how she met a sexy alien from another planet and describes the hot affair she had with him. According to her story, not only was the sex good, but his touch immediately cured all her anxieties. “Touch Me” goes on to show how this otherworldly character blows up Joey’s world. Regrettably, what writer-director Addison Heiman visually reveals of this creature and his world never matches up with what Taylor Dudley’s haunting delivery suggests of her character’s experience.

Joey is a drifter working odd jobs and hardly making ends meet. She hasn’t been able to garner opportunities for her creative endeavors. She lives with her trust-fund gay friend Craig (Jordan Gavaris). When his house becomes uninhabitable due to a plumbing problem...

Writer/Director Addison Heimann’s feature directorial debut, Hypochondriac, wore its Donnie Darko influence on its sleeves while tackling devastating themes of mental health via the unreliable narrator. The filmmaker continues his unique exploration of mental health from a genre lens in his sophomore feature, Touch Me, a psychosexual sci-fi horror movie that draws from retro Japanese horror, exploitation cinema, and perhaps even hentai. It infuses its depiction of a toxic friendship curdled by trauma, codependency, and addiction with vibrant style and campy fun.

Touch Me’s unassuming opening scene sets the stage. Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley) recounts to her therapist the harrowing sexual encounter with a lover who got too rough, prompting her to flee the relationship and take refuge with her gay best friend Craig (Jordan Gavaris). It’s the type of sensitive subject matter, relayed by Dudley with an appropriate matter-of-fact sincerity, that signals a much heavier feature ahead.

Have you ever been so excited by one specific person that all you wanted was for them to touch you – any part of you – because the feeling was like being struck by electricity? At the other end of the scale of life experiences, have you ever been so miserable that you seem to have a voice inside your head all the time reminding you of it? What if the former experience could cure the latter? Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley) finds something truly sensational in Brian (Lou Taylor Pucchi), as we see her explaining to her therapist at the start of this film. It might have been perfect, if only he’d respected her boundaries; if only she hadn’t been afraid that her head might explode.

Part of the Midnight strand at Sundance 2025, Touch Me is the latest work by Addison Heimann, whose début, Hypochondriac, wowed the...

Plot: Two best friends (Olivia Taylor Dudley and Jordan Gavaris) encounter a tracksuit-wearing alien (Lou Taylor Pucci) whose touch is so powerful that it can relieve past trauma…for a while anyway.

Review: Every year at Sundance, there’s a movie that I see that – for some reason or another – just isn’t for me, even though I can tell there’s definitely an appreciative audience out there for it. Last year, it was I Saw the TV Glow (which became a breakout hit) and this year it’s Touch Me. Despite the low-budget and deliberately campy aesthetic, this blend of sci-fi/ horror and comedy should earn plenty of fans. However, I must admit I’m not one even if there are things about it I can appreciate. This is one of those movies where the phrase “it wasn’t for me” would suffice.

Olivia Taylor Dudley and Jordan Gavaris...

Addison Heimann’s Touch Me feels tailor-made for 2000s teens who came of age exploring Newgrounds.com’s niche popularity and independent video store backrooms. Its confrontations of trauma are veiled behind sumptuous Japanese media influences: “Pink” films, anime, and hentai. Heimann’s cosmically carnal tale is brazenly naked — pun intended. Touch Me’s alien erotica bares all in an orgy of anxious spirals, wriggly appendages, and repressed sadness. Expect a sexually charged commentary on masturbatory suffering with love paid to Gregg Araki and John Waters, which — while divisive — bursts with unbridled originality that cements Heimann as a filmmaking voice everyone should follow.

Olivia Taylor Dudley stars as Joey, the stressed-out byproduct of foster care and a substantial wine reliance. At her lowest, she’s drinking reds while pretending to work at a coffee shop. At her highest, Joey experiences the euphoria of interspecies intercourse with a celestial being who...

Following his 2022 film Hypochondriac, writer-director Addison Heimann’s Touch Me centers on two best friends (Olivia Taylor Dudley and Jordan Gavaris) who fall under the erotic spell of the same guy (Lou Taylor-Pucci). At least he looks like a guy; the truth is, he’s an intergalactic being ensconced in a human flesh suit. As the best friends vie for his affection, they gradually realize that they’re fighting for their right to live as much as love. Cinematographer Dustin Supencheck discusses his working relationship with Heimann, the importance of capturing vibrant colors and the influence of 20th century Japanese cinema on the […]

The post “A Mix of Natural Indie Style, Theatrical Spotlights and Neon Colors”: Dp Dustin Supencheck on Touch Me first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Following his 2022 film Hypochondriac, writer-director Addison Heimann’s Touch Me centers on two best friends (Olivia Taylor Dudley and Jordan Gavaris) who fall under the erotic spell of the same guy (Lou Taylor-Pucci). At least he looks like a guy; the truth is, he’s an intergalactic being ensconced in a human flesh suit. As the best friends vie for his affection, they gradually realize that they’re fighting for their right to live as much as love. Cinematographer Dustin Supencheck discusses his working relationship with Heimann, the importance of capturing vibrant colors and the influence of 20th century Japanese cinema on the […]

The post “A Mix of Natural Indie Style, Theatrical Spotlights and Neon Colors”: Dp Dustin Supencheck on Touch Me first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

A fantasy series, with 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, is getting a new streaming home after leaving Netflix. Although it has managed to successfully launch several genres, particularly old-school thrillers like The Night Agent and supernatural teen fare such as Stranger Things and Wednesday, there's an argument to be made that the most global streaming platform has struggled to find a fantasy tentpole on the level of HBO's House of the Dragon or Prime Video's Wheel of Time.

The Witcher has had notable success, although not without its share of turmoil. Series lead Henry Cavill has exited the project, with his role as Geralt of Rivia to be played by Liam Hemsworth in The Witcher season 4. It also hasn't been a franchise starter, with spinoffs failing to gain much traction so far. Shadow and Bone has faired even worse, getting cancelled much to the frustration of its audience. It's an important genre...

The Sundance Film Festival is once again upon us! Set to happen from January 23rd to February 2nd in Park City, Utah (with an online component from January 30th to Feb 2nd), the official schedule was unveiled today, and once again it’s an eclectic mix of indie fare, award hopefuls, and horror flicks. Once again, I’ll be there for JoBlo, filing a ton of reviews. To note, in recent years, Sundance has become especially well known for genre fare, with Hereditary, Talk to Me, and I Saw the TV Glow all premiering in the midnight section of the fest. This year’s Midnight selection includes some very buzzy titles:

Dead Lover / Canada –– A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap scientific experiments,...

The new year is fast approaching, and it's already time to start planning your 2025 binge-watches. Apart from all of the excellent new streaming shows set to premiere throughout the year, there are inevitably a whole crop of fan-favorite shows that find their way onto Netflix for an unexpected resurgence, just like Suits, Your Honor, and plenty of other recents hits.

In January 2025, Netflix welcomes a small handful of recent small screen favorites like TV Land's rom-com Younger and the newest spinoff from The Walking Dead universe coming to Netflix for the first time, and in another case, a time-tested hit procedural will see its earliest seasons returning after being removed months prior.

But of course, with the monthly additions on Netflix, there are the inevitable removals. While the bulk of the content leaving Netflix in January 2025 consists of movies, there are a trio of fan-favorite series that fans will...

I did wonder how well Good Omens would translate from book to screen. Well, it worked, and now we’re ready to see how it all comes to an end. Well, sort of. We’re not “ready” ready, but it does need an ending.

This is one of those series that can’t be duplicated. There isn’t anything else out there that matches the energy, but there are a fair few shows that come somewhat close. It all depends on the elements you want to gain from Good Omens in other works.

Here are six shows worth watching.

The Magicians -- "Fillory and Further" Episode 513 -- Pictured: (l-r) Olivia Taylor Dudley as Alice Quinn, Stella Maeve as Julia Wicker, Rain Steele as Merritt/Plum, Arjun Gupta as Penny Adiyodi, Summer Bishil as Margo Hanson -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/Syfy) The Magicians

When it comes to the supernatural elements and the relationships,...

The Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls sequel gets an update from one of its stars. The 2023 horror-comedy is about an occultist named Onyx who attends a unique ritual with some worshipers at the mansion of Bartok the Great. The film was written and directed by Andrew Bowser, who also played the titular character. In addition to Bowser, the film features a leading cast of Rivkah Reyes, Melanie Chandra, Terrene T.C. Carson, Arden Myrin, Barbara Crampton, Olivia Taylor Dudley, and Jeffrey Combs.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for his new movie The Blue Diamond, Crampton discussed the prospects of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls 2. The actor stated that the first film was so hard to "get off the ground" and was "such an undertaking." As a result, she is unsure how Bowser "feels about continuing that." However, he acknowledged that the director...

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls’ soundtrack is available on vinyl and cassette from Fortuitous Films, Witter Entertainment, and Broke Horror Fan (that’s me!).

The score is composed by Matt Mahaffey (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and includes Onyx’s rendition of Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” plus guest appearances by Kwamé and Jason Threm.

Three vinyl variants are available: glow-in-the-dark with white splatter featuring art by Matt Ryan Tobin (limited to 250), glow-in-the-dark with black and green splatter featuring art by Tobin (limited to 250), and standard black featuring art by Phantom City Creative.

The cassette tape is available in green (limited to 250) and standard black. Both versions feature a six-panel insert with cover art by Lukas Ketner.

The records are housed in gatefold packaging and include a digital download. Autographed vinyl signed by writer-director Andrew Bowser...

The Umbrella Academy has just premiered its final season, but there are plenty of options for shows if you like it!

The Umbrella Academy has been one of Netflix’s biggest original series. Based on the cult comic book, six superpowered kids are brought together by a millionaire to save the world. The show is known for its outlandish characters and storytelling, mixing alternate timelines, time travel and more alongside situations no other show can take on. The fourth season will wrap up the story and end the show.

Thankfully, there are some good shows just like Umbrella Academy out there. Some are based on comic books, a mix of superheroes, fantasy, sci-fi, and more with an offbeat style and pretty crazy. Streaming offers many options, while these fifteen shows are right up the alley for Umbrella Academy fans to check out if you want an unusual type of heroic show!

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a British teen mystery drama series created by Poppy Cogan. Based on the 2017 young adult mystery crime novel of the same name by author Holly Jackson, the BBC and Netflix series is set five years after a murder-suicide in which a popular high-school girl was murdered by her boyfriend, who later killed himself, at least that’s what everyone believes in their town of Little Kilton. We follow the story of Pip Fitz-Amobi (Emma Myers), who is now a high school senior. She believes that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye, and that’s why she begins an investigation into the case, but if she is right and her boyfriend didn’t kill her, then there is a killer out there who could become a danger for Pip. So, if you like the mystery, drama, romance, and small-town vibes...

Writer/actress Cassie Keet recently made her feature directorial debut with the horror comedy Scream Therapy, which just received a VOD release from Indican Pictures yesterday and earned her a Panavision camera grant. That grant has allowed her to go into her second feature, a slow-burn psychological cult thriller called Abigail Before Beatrice, which is now filming in Little Rock, Arkansas with Olivia Taylor Dudley (The Magicians) and Riley Dandy (Christmas Bloody Christmas) in the lead roles.

Written and directed by Keet, Abigail Before Beatrice is coming our way from Little Black Dog Entertainment, Nanu Pictures, and Exit 44 Entertainment. Benjamin Dunn and Mindy Van Kuren are producing the film, which is partly financed by New Harvest Creative. The story centers on an isolated woman who must confront her past when a fellow former cult member reaches out with news that their leader has been released from prison early.

Keet told Deadline,...

Production is underway on slow-burn psychological thriller Abigail Before Beatrice, Deadline reports today, with Olivia Taylor Dudley (Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls) and Riley Dandy (Things Will Be Different)

The film follows “an isolated woman who must confront her past when a fellow former cult member reaches out with news that their leader has been released from prison early.”

Abigail Before Beatrice marks the sophmore effort from writer/director Cassie Keet. Keet’s debut feature Scream Therapy, a horror comedy that landed her a Panavision camera grant, is out today on Digital.

Filming is currently underway in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“I’m so excited and humbled to be filming in my home state,” said Keet in a statement to Deadline. “I had dreamt of filming Abigail Before Beatrice in Arkansas from the moment I wrote it, but the Acs Panavision grant made that dream a reality. I...

Exclusive: Olivia Taylor Dudley (The Magicians) and Riley Dandy (Things Will Be Different) are in production in Little Rock, Arkansas on Abigail Before Beatrice, a slow-burn psychological thriller marking the sophomore feature of writer-director Cassie Keet.

Hailing from Little Black Dog Entertainment, Nanu Pictures, and Exit 44 Entertainment, the film is about an isolated woman who must confront her past when a fellow former cult member reaches out with news that their leader has been released from prison early.

A Little Rock native, Keet came to make it on the heels of Scream Therapy, a horror comedy that landed her a Panavision camera grant, which will be available on demand from Indican Pictures starting June 18. Benjamin Dunn (My Dead Friend Zoe) and Mindy Van Kuren are producing the film, financed partly by New Harvest Creative, with Exit 44 Entertainment handling sales.

“I’m so excited and humbled to be filming in my home state,...

If you enjoyed Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls on Screambox, the Blu-ray is a treasure trove. The horror-comedy is accompanied by three different commentary tracks featuring writer-director-editor-star Andrew Bowser and various crew members, among other special features.

Bowser is naturally funny, seamlessly slipping in Onyx-isms, but he’s also not afraid to get real. There’s a solo director’s track, a commentary focused on the production alongside actress/producer Olivia Taylor Dudley and producer Clark Baker, and a sound commentary joined by sound designer/supervising sound editor Mike James Gallagher.

Here are 10 things I learned from the Onyx the Fortuitous commentaries…

1. The film was intended to start with Bartok removing his eye.

Bowser intended to give viewers a taste of the horrors to come with a cold open that would introduce Jeffrey Combs as Bartok the Great in a scene in which he removes his own eye.

Fresh out of theaters, currently available on VOD and now streaming exclusively on Screambox, Bloody Disgusting’s Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is coming home for the holidays, arriving as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray on December 19, loaded with bonus features, extended/deleted scenes, commentaries and an exclusive slipcover.

The Blu-ray is now available for pre-order on Amazon!

Since its Sundance premiere, the energy surrounding the film has steadily grown with RogerEbert.com calling Onyx the Fortuitous “a handmade horror gem.”

Based on Andrew Bowser’s viral 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.

Blu-ray Bonus Features include…

Making the Monsters Onyx: Origins Onyx Original Videos Theatrical Trailer Art Book

Deleted /Extended Scenes:

Bartok Has Risen (Extended) The Grand Grimoire (Extended) Onyx Eats the Eggs (Deleted) Ravenous Salamanders...

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a horror-comedy movie that began as a social media character and has now been brought to life. The movie maintains the quick speech and quirky sensibilities that made Onyx a viral sensation, creating humorous contrast with the more serious characters in the story. The film combines horror and comedy, drawing inspiration from classic horror movies like Fright Night and Re-Animator, aiming to create a cozy spooky movie that evokes the feeling of watching an old VHS tape.

An aspiring occultist is confronted with his first test of strength in an exclusive Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls clip. Written, directed by and starring Andrew Bowser, the movie is a feature-length expansion of his viral character, seeing him joining a group of fellow enthusiasts invited to the mansion of the mysterious Bartok the Great for a ceremony, only to realize he's hiding a darker motive.

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.

Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.

The Pitch: Boy, Girl, or Bro — Pledge Delta Bi

There may be no greater false equivalence in American culture than that of fraternities and sororities.

For most men, the undergrad Greek system is a four-year “Wolf of Wall Street” homage featuring sticky floors, over-priced ambulance rides, and the occasional Title IX investigation. For most women, it’s a cultish reinforcement of sexist ideals requiring expensive uniforms, ritualistic dance, and performative crying over handmade crafts.

That was my experience as a pretentious college kid in the mid-2010s, anyway. Despite having never earnestly...

In an interview with Film Comment in 2020, actress/writer/director Amy Seimetz said that she used her ample salary from making the remake of "Pet Sematary" to make her feature directorial debut "She Dies Tomorrow," a dark fable about the nature of despair. "She Dies Tomorrow" was one of the unlucky 2020 features whose potential success was hindered by Covid-19-related theater closures, resulting in a combined box office take of less than $400,000 from a release on only 24 screens.

Not that a film like "She Dies Tomorrow" was a threat to, say, a Marvel film. Seimetz constructed an assertively sad meditation full of weeping, doubt, death, and fear. It imagines a world where depression is contagious and how humans' natural propensity toward utter emotional emptiness ultimately informs and colors every aspect of our lives.

The premise seems simple: Kate Lyn Sheil plays a woman named Amy who has just purchased a...

Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are bringing Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls to theaters this week – the gateway horror film channels the spirit of feel-good 1980s films like Beetlejuice, Ernest Scared Stupid, and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure!

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.

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.

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a crowd-pleasing blend of comedy and horror, reminiscent of '80s genre films like The Monster Squad and Fright Night. Barbara Crampton, who plays Onyx's mother in the movie, was friends with writer/director Andrew Bowser and has been involved with the project for years. Crampton was impressed by the practical effects in the film, particularly the puppetry, which she describes as one of the best set pieces in the movie.

Marcus Trillbury is ready for a better life in Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. Focused on the viral character of the same name, the movie sees the struggling occultist invited to the mansion of his idol Bartok the Great along with four other like-minded people to take part in a special ceremony summoning the demon Abaddon, only to learn of dark plans made for him and his new friends.

Plot: 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.

Review: Adaptations are always tricky, let alone trying to adapt something like a character from YouTube. Yet somehow Andrew Bowser’s Onyx the Fortuitous works really well in the narrative here. Sure, there are going to be people that are driven crazy by his delivery but I found myself oddly charmed by it. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a spectacular cast surrounding him that provides plenty of hilarity. I would hope that most know what they’re getting into when it comes to something called Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. But you never know.

The...

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a movie written, directed by, and starring Andrew Bowser, featuring the viral character Onyx the Fortuitous. The movie is a hilarious and charming throwback to '80s horror-comedy classics, with a subgenre of cozy spooky movies that are fun to watch. Andrew Bowser's close collaboration with Olivia Taylor Dudley, who also produced and developed the story, played a significant role in the creative process and development of the characters.

The viral character Onyx the Fortuitous is getting his own wild adventure with Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. Written, directed by and starring Andrew Bowser, the movie centers on the eponymous aspiring occultist as he gets the chance of a lifetime to meet his idol, Bartok the Great, only to learn of a darker motivation behind the invitation.

Alongside Bowser, the ensemble Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of...

A special treat for the Halloween season, Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are bringing Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls to theaters on Thursday, October 19. The gateway horror film is filled with monsters, ’80s/’90s references, and that “Weird Satanist Guy,” ensuring a charming spooky season watch.

Based on writer, director, and star Andrew 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.

Bowser stars as Onyx the Fortuitous alongside Olivia Taylor Dudley (“The Magicians,” Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension), Barbara Crampton (You’re Next, Re-Animator), Jeffrey Combs (Castle Freak, 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).

Ahead of the film’s release, Bloody Disgusting spoke with Bowser about...

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Ahead of next week’s release, Bowser is bringing his film to three cities for a series of early preview screenings. Below are the details for those in NY, CA, or Chicago…

AMC Empire 25 – Tues, October...

This Halloween season, Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are bringing Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls to theaters (Oct. 19), a gateway horror film that wears its ’80s/’90s influences on its sleeves.

Based on writer, director, and star Andrew 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.

“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.”

In the new clip, Onyx (Bowser) witnesses something horrific and stumbles into a room, going on a fright-filled tangent: “I love the mechanics of these vintage lamps!”

The clip puts the incredible practical effects on display,...

This Halloween season, Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are bringing Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls to theaters, a gateway horror film that wears its ’80s/’90s influences on its sleeves. Those influences extend to music, and we’ve got a treat for you this afternoon with a brand new clip channeling Meatloaf’s hit song “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”… in the form of a hilarious dream sequence from the film.

Based on writer, director, and star Andrew 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.

In the new clip, Onyx (Bowser) finds himself grappling with what he’d do for love as he recreates Meatloaf’s famous music video and finds temptation in the form of a “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” character.

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!

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.

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...

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!

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.

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...

"The Strangled Heart" episode of The Magicians is intense and filled with intrigue, setting up dark conflicts that put the characters' lives and sanity at stake. Penny is stabbed and cursed with black vines growing throughout his body, prompting Quentin and Alice to find a solution by burning his most prized possession. Mike gets possessed by the powerful magician known as the Beast, leading to a dramatic confrontation and the revelation that no one is safe from the Beast's threat.

The Magicians' "The Strangled Heart" was the eighth episode of the Syfy fantasy series' first season, and while it set up intrigue for what would come next, it was also an intense episode in its own right. Based on Lev Grossman's 2009 novel of the same name, The Magicians follows a Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy student named Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph) who trains to become a magician in a...

Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are bringing two horror movies to theaters on the road to Halloween, kicking off with the werewolf comedy Shaky Shivers on September 21.

And then there’s Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, a practical-effects heavy horror movie that just debuted its official trailer (via Movieweb) this week.

Today, Bloody Disgusting is serving up a retro VHS trailer for Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, which channels the throwback vibes of this gateway horror delight.

Check out the VHS variant trailer below!

The buzzed-about horror-comedy 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.

Based on Bowser’s viral internet character of the same name,...

I had never heard of Onyx the Fortuitous before I started seeing reports about the upcoming movie Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls – and even then, I didn’t pay much attention to it because I figured something called Onyx the Fortuitous must be an animated children’s film. But as it turns out, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a horror comedy and Onyx the Fortuitous himself is a viral character who was created by Andrew Bowser and has accumulated over 300 million views online, with over 1 million followers on TikTok. Now Bowser’s movie Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is set to receive a one-night theatrical release in North America, courtesy of Cinedigm and Fathom Events, on October 19th. Tickets can be purchased at This Link, and a trailer for the film is embedded above to help you decide whether or...

"When it's the end of the world, a new hero must rise." Screambox & Fathom have revealed the first official trailer for a horror comedy creation called Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, marking the feature directorial debut of Andrew Bowser. Some may know about "Onyx the Fortuitous" - he's already a viral sensation online, a mad creation of comedian / actor / filmmaker Andrew. This feature film version of Onyx initially premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival this year in the Midnight section. "Onyx the Fortuitous" is struggling to find any purpose with his soul-devouring side gig when he receives a coveted invitation to the mansion of his idol, "Bartok the Great." He joins Bartok and his mysterious delegation to raise the spirit of an ancient demon for a once-in-a-lifetime ritual. Though not everything is as it seems... Starring Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jeffrey Combs, Arden Myrin, Barbara Crampton, and Bowser as Onyx.

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...

You’ve seen “Onyx The Fortuitous” on Youtube where he hijacks news reports with his odd personality and motormouth. Now he is coming to the big screen with his full-length feature Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, written, directed and starring Andrew Bowser, based on his internet-famous character also known as the “Weird Satanist Guy.” After a successful crowdfunding campaign to finance part of the production, the throwback horror comedy has been shown at Sundance, Glasgow FrightFest, and more recently, Fantasia Film Fest.

My first exposure to Onyx the Fortuitous was hearing his voice in the intro of Iron Reagan’s 12-second banger “Your Kid’s An Asshole”. Wanting to find the source of said sample, I stumbled upon his viral videos and wondered if this guy was for real and, if so, how did he manage to always be in the right place at the right time to get an interview?...

The Chattanooga Film Festival 2023 returns in person and virtually for its tenth year, kicking off today, June 23 through 29! The beloved festival will return to an in-person event for the first time since 2019, from June 23 through 25, while offering a virtual experience from June 23 through 29.

The main venue for those attending in person will be Chattanooga’s historical and legendary haunted The Read House Hotel. The hotel’s 1920s beauty and the tale of Room 311, with resident ghost Annalisa, make it the perfect spooky backdrop for the festival’s 10th Anniversary. The festival will also have various locations around the city. So whether you’re attending from the comfort of your couch or getting spooked by Annalisa, it’s a great weekend ahead for horror fans. And an even greater weekend for Screambox titles, kicking off with the opening night film and party for Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls.

Bloody Disgusting is going to satisfy your nostalgia sweet tooth with the brand new Screambox Original Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, which gives loving homage to classic gateway horror like Monster Squad, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Ernest Scared Stupid, and Beetlejuice.

First reported by Variety, Cinedigm announced today they have acquired all North American rights to the buzzed-about horror-comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2023 Midnight Section to rave reviews.

Our very own Meagan Navarro attended the World Premiere, writing in her review that Onyx is an “endearing comedy-horror [that] embraces the ‘80s horror kid,” while RogerEbert.com called the film “a handmade horror gem.”

Based on writer, director and star Andrew 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.

Cinedigm has acquired the North American rights to horror-comedy film “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls,” which will be released in theaters this fall, Variety has learned exclusively.

The film is based on writer, director and star Andrew Bowser’s viral character, Onyx, which has accumulated over 300 million views online with over 1 million followers on TikTok. According to the film’s official plot description, as an “amateur occultist, [Onyx] learns that sometimes when you raise Hell…you get a little burned.” Just when Onyx is about to give up his paranormal pursuits, he receives an invitation to meet with his idol, Bartok the Great, to take part in a ritual to revive an ancient demon. Onyx makes friends with fellow disciples as things take a turn for the worst and they battle to keep their souls.

The film also stars Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Ralph Ineson, Rivkah Reyes, Tc Carson,...

Lucha libre is a beloved form of wrestling that never lacks flair, and this year's Sundance Film Festival welcomed a luchador with glam to spare in Cassandro. Directed by Roger Ross Williams and co-written with David Teague, Cassandro is based on the true story of a luchador from Juárez named Saúl Armendáriz. Tired of playing the runt and always losing matches, not to mention tired of hiding his sexuality and romance with fellow wrestler Gerardo, Saúl decides to become an exótico. With the help of his trainer Sabrina, he takes his luchador character from a no-name loser to a flamboyant and famous winner.

Gael García Bernal (fresh off the heels of Werewolf by Night) leads Cassandro as the title character, depicting both sides of the “Liberace of lucha libre” with grace. Williams, who previously won an Academy Award for his documentary work, took on a whole new challenge to shape...

After making waves on Peacock with We Are Lady Parts, writer and director Nida Manzoor hit the big screen at Sundance Film Festival with her feature film debut Polite Society. Part comedy and part martial arts adventure, Manzoor's first film perfectly blends the glorious bonds of sisterhood with this humorous hijinx of a would-be action-hero protagonist. She even brought some of her Lady Parts cast along for the ride, although the breakout star of the film is impressive newcomer Priya Kansara.

Kansara plays Ria Khan, a Pakistani British teenager with high hopes of becoming a stuntwoman like her idol Eunice Huthart. Though her parents hardly take her seriously, and school bullies mock her goals, her old sister Lena Lena (The Umbrella Academy’s Ritu Arya) is her solid support throughout. All of that changes, however, when Lena drops out of art school after a creative block and winds up...

Andrew Bowser premiered his film Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival based on a character he developed on YouTube.

In his debut on the big screen, Onyx searches for a new life and is enticed by his idol Bartok the Great (Jeffery Combs) into summoning a demon. In a turn for the worse, Bartok, his followers, including Farrah (Olivia Dudley), and Onyx have to fight to save their souls.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview founder Erik Meers, Dudley discussed what it was like working with Bowser.

“Andrew’s pretty cool,” she laughed. “We’ve known each other for ten years and we’ve been making stuff on and off the whole time, especially these last five years. So I’ve been very familiar with the character Onyx and I get such a kick out of Onyx.”

“I don’t think I realized how famous he was,...

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls may have had its world premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, but it was the result of over a decade of character-building and viral videos. Creator Andrew Bowser, who portrays Onyx (known to his mother as Marcus J. Trillbury), has perfected the character and his insecure satanic impulses through various meme-worthy projects before crafting a feature-length narrative around his story. A celebration of weirdness, Talisman of Souls follows Onyx into the mansion of Bartok the Great and an epic adventure that offers him something he's never had before: friends.

Bowser's real-life friend and creative partner Olivia Taylor Dudley (best known to sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts as Alice from The Magicians) stars as Farrah, who serves as Onyx's foil and potential frenemy. As Bartok's assistant, she helped gather an eclectic group of true believers with special abilities, but her motivations (along...

Internet sensation Onyx the Fortuitous, aka the “Weird Satanist Guy,” has charmed viewers for roughly a decade through a series of ongoing viral videos that have amassed over 300 million views. Writer/Director/Star Andrew Bowser brings his viral character to the big screen in Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, an infectious Saturday Morning Cartoon of a comedy-horror movie. Bowser infuses Onyx’s feature film debut with endearing quirkiness, endless ’80s/’90s influences, and horror whimsy.

When oddball Marcus J. Trillbury (Bowser) isn’t working his fast food gig or getting into fights with his mom’s (Barbara Crampton) boyfriend, he’s aspiring to master his craft as amateur occultist Onyx the Fortuitous. So much so that he jumps at the chance to prove himself to his idol Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs), answering an open call for fellow Satan worshippers to join the renowned dark master for a special ritual.

As we told you last week, horror-comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, based on writer, director, and star Andrew Bowser’s viral internet character, will be premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this month, and Screen Rant brings us a clip today.

In this first look clip, which features horror icon Jeffrey Combs, “Onyx and a group of occultists arrive at Bartok’s mansion to find a grim surprise waiting for them.”

Head over to Sundance for details on Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls’ premiere screenings, and stay tuned for our coverage out of the fest.

Bowser will star alongside Olivia Taylor Dudley (“The Magicians”), Rivkah Reyes (School of Rock), Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator, The Frighteners), Ralph Ineson (The Witch, The Green Knight), Arden Myrin (“Insatiable,” “Mad TV”), Melanie Chandra (“Code Black”), and T.C. Carson (Final Destination 2) in Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls.