Full Breakdown
Leviticus: An Australian Queer Horror Film’s Premise, Production, and Reception
6/17/2026, 3:15:42 AM
Premise, Release and Key Numbers
Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella’s debut *Leviticus* follows teenage lovers Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) in a Bible-belt town where a community-ordered exorcism summons a shapeshifting entity that appears as the victim’s deepest desire. The film premiered at Sundance in January 2026, opened in Australian cinemas on 18 June, and will debut in the United States on 19 June after Neon bought worldwide rights for A$7.1 million. Runtime is 86 minutes.
Conceptual Background and Influences
Chiarella, a gay man, framed the film as “queer social horror,” using the exorcism premise to critique coercive practices that police young people’s sexuality—a focus sharpened by New South Wales’ recent conversion-therapy ban. Influences include *It Follows* and *The Witch*, and the setting—industrial outskirts of Melbourne—echoes the “grey middle Australia” tone of earlier Aussie horror hits.
Key Creative Team
Chiarella writes and directs. Leads are Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen; Mia Wasikowska plays Naim’s mother and also serves as executive producer. Producers Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton secured funding from Screen Australia and VicScreen. Jed Kurzel composed the score.
Cultural Significance
*Leviticus* expands Australian horror by centring a queer love story within a curse narrative, using the monster as a metaphor for internalised homophobia. Critics praise its sincere tone as a fresh take on queer adolescence.
Official Statements
Chiarella calls the film a “queer social horror” that probes how communities regulate adolescent desire. Neon’s purchase signals confidence in its global appeal; producers cite its fresh concept and emotional clarity.
Criticism and Opposition
Some viewers read the film as a direct commentary on conversion therapy. Chiarella clarifies that, while possible, the story is meant to address broader coercive measures targeting youth sexuality.
Audience Reception
Festival audiences responded enthusiastically; Sundance and Sydney attendees posted analyses on Letterboxd, noting the “socially pointed Big Bad.” Variety called Chiarella “a prime new genre voice,” and *The Guardian* called the debut “smart and surprisingly romantic.”
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on the U.S. release: Neon cites a 19 June launch, while IGN lists a single 19 June theatrical date without region. No box-office forecasts are available.
Verbatim Quotes
- “People say to me, oh, it’s a conversion therapy metaphor, and I’m like, not necessarily,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “The best horror movies explore something very primal, and there is something about fear that translates all around the world,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “Ours, I think, is a much more sincere love story about growing up and what it means to be a teenager,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “a ‘queer’ It Follows” — Samantha Jennings, Producer
Future Outlook
Neon will open *Leviticus* in U.S. theaters on 19 June, with later releases planned for Europe and Asia. The film is slated for additional festivals and may enter awards contention in the 2026-27 season.
