“Leviticus,” the debut feature from Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella, is a horror film that explores the intersection of queer identity and trauma through the lens of a supernatural thriller. Set in a conservative small town in regional Victoria, Australia, the story centers on Naim (Joe Bird), a 17-year-old boy who has recently relocated with his religious mother Arlene (Mia Wasikowska). Naim grapples with his feelings for Ryan (Stacy Clausen), a classmate with whom he shares secret moments amid a community rife with homophobia and fear.
The film introduces a shape-shifting entity that takes the form of the person that queer teens most desire, stalking them and inflicting brutal physical punishment if they yield to temptation. This malevolent force is unleashed following a ritual conducted by a “deliverance healer” (played by Nicholas Hope), who is hired by local church authorities after some same-sex encounters among the town’s youths are revealed. Rather than purging demons, the ritual curses the boys, symbolizing the oppressive mechanisms used to coerce LGBTQ+ individuals into conformity. The creature functions as an allegory for homophobia, conversion therapy, and the psychological damage wrought by internalized shame.
Chiarella, who grew up in Sydney with a diverse cultural background—Italian and Chinese—and professional experience in film editing, has described “Leviticus” as a personal project that examines queer trauma within the framework of the horror genre. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films like John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and Asian cinema greats such as Wong Kar-wai, the director sought to reclaim horror as a space for exploring otherness and the struggles of self-identity. He initially considered making a queer-themed exorcism story but shifted toward a narrative that frames the threat as external and imposed by societal and religious intolerance rather than something inherent in queerness itself.
Joe Bird, who portrays Naim, said the script’s authenticity and emotional complexity compelled him to join the project. His performance, noted for its naturalism and vulnerability, helps anchor the film’s emotional core. Stacy Clausen plays Ryan and also portrays the supernatural double that haunts his character, a casting choice that enhances the intimate yet suspenseful dynamic between the two leads. The actors developed a close rapport during filming, with Chiarella emphasizing that the romantic relationship is central to the film’s impact—if the love story resonates, the horror elements follow organically.
The production employed striking cinematography by Tyson Perkins, capturing the bleak industrial and rural landscapes that underscore the hostile environment surrounding Naim and Ryan. “Leviticus” also makes deliberate references to queer cinematic history, including visual nods to Jean Genet’s “Un Chant d’Amour” and settings such as photo booths that historically served as safe spaces for intimacy.
The film premiered to strong reactions at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Neon for U.S. distribution. It arrives amid ongoing cultural and political challenges to LGBTQ+ rights, adding topical resonance to its themes of fear, resilience, and hope. Early audiences and online communities have responded positively, with viewers expressing gratitude for its authentic depiction of queer experiences and its blend of coming-of-age romance with metaphorical horror.
In sum, “Leviticus” offers a layered narrative that confronts homophobia through genre storytelling, balancing graphic scares with tender moments of connection and defiance. Chiarella, Bird, and Clausen emphasize the film’s message of choosing hope over fear in the face of persistent trauma and societal rejection.