Australian filmmaker Adrian Chiarella has released a new horror film, “Leviticus,” which explores the impact of homophobia through the lens of supernatural horror. The movie focuses on two teenage boys, Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), living in a conservative small town who are subjected to a traumatic conversion therapy ritual after their parents learn of their sexual orientation.

Drawing inspiration from the often-cited biblical chapter Leviticus, commonly interpreted as condemning homosexuality, the film delves into the psychological and emotional toll of internalized homophobia. After the ritual, both boys begin experiencing disturbing visions of each other, which are ultimately revealed to be a shape-shifting demon intent on keeping them apart. Throughout the film, Chiarella balances traditional horror elements such as body horror and jump scares with a nuanced love story, creating an ambiguous atmosphere where Naim cannot be sure whether he is interacting with the real Ryan or a malevolent entity.

Chiarella, who previously studied in a religious school despite having atheist parents, said the biblical mythology intrigued him and inspired the film’s themes. He was further motivated to address homophobia following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017. While recognizing the victory for LGBTQ+ rights, he noted a concurrent rise in hateful rhetoric, a phenomenon he has also observed in the United States. The director aimed to tackle these issues from a personal perspective rather than a political one.

The film’s conclusion is deliberately ambiguous. After a series of violent encounters, Naim confronts and traps the demon in a burning building, but not before Ryan’s spirit professes his love, leaving Naim unsure whether he has destroyed his real boyfriend or the supernatural impostor. A subsequent conversation with Naim’s mother, Arlene (Mia Wasikowska), reveals her complicity in the curse, as she believed instilling fear about being gay would protect him from societal harm. This dynamic portrays a form of homophobia that is rooted in misguided care and fear.

“Leviticus” ends with Naim escaping his home and reuniting with Ryan on a bus, though the appearance of another Ryan standing by the roadside suggests that the haunting may persist. Chiarella intended this final scene to reflect how homophobia can become an internalized struggle, one that lingers even when external pressures are removed. He compares the ending to a classic horror trope where the monster is never truly defeated, symbolizing the ongoing nature of such challenges.

Rejecting common “bury your gays” tropes prevalent in LGBTQ+ storytelling, Chiarella portrays Naim and Ryan as survivors who continue their relationship despite adversity. He said that while the film leaves room for potential sequels, possibly exploring different characters or facets of the queer experience, “Leviticus” itself marks a meaningful attempt to infuse genre horror with a deeply personal exploration of identity and acceptance.