Full Breakdown
Leviticus: Queer Horror Film Confronts Conversion Therapy
6/19/2026, 12:04:49 PM
Plot Overview: The Curse of Desire
In a rural Australian Christian community, teenagers Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) begin a secret romantic relationship. After a local “deliverance” ritual intended to “cure” their homosexuality, each boy is haunted by a supernatural entity that assumes the form of the person they love most, leading to violent attacks that only the victims can see.
Production Background & Context
Writer-director Adrian Chiarella conceived the film while observing a perceived regression in LGBTQIA+ rights in Australia and the United States. He linked the horror premise to personal memories of homophobia and to classic monster films, describing the curse as a metaphor for conversion-therapy trauma.
Key Creative Figures
The project is produced by Causeway Films (known for *The Babadook* and *Talk to Me*) and distributed by Neon. Lead performances are by Joe Bird as Naim and Stacy Clausen as Ryan; supporting cast includes Mia Wasikowska (Naim’s mother), Nicholas Hope (the Deliverance Healer), Ewen Leslie (the pastor), and Jeremy Blewitt (Hunter). Filming took place in Melbourne and Geelong.
Release Timeline & Distribution
Leviticus premiered in the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight section in early 2026, after which Neon acquired worldwide rights. The film entered U.S. and Australian theaters in mid-June, with sources reporting release dates of June 18 and June 19.
Data & Statistics
The feature runs 88 minutes and carries an R rating for bloody violence and profanity. It is classified as horror and is marketed as a queer-themed thriller. The Sundance screening generated a bidding war, and the film opened in major city venues such as AMC Boston Common and Alamo Drafthouse Seaport.
Why It Matters: Commentary on Conversion Therapy
Leviticus frames conversion-therapy rituals as a catalyst for a literal demon, illustrating how external oppression can internalize as self-destructive fear. Critics note the film’s explicit link between homophobic practices and supernatural horror, positioning it as a cultural critique of ongoing anti-LGBTQ legislation.
Official Statements & Responses
Chiarella has said the film reflects a “regression in the rights for the LGBTQIA+ people” and that he wanted to explore “why we turn to stories of teenagers being chased by monsters” as an allegory for homophobia. He also described the monster as “very good at manipulating” and emphasized that the narrative draws from his own experiences and those of survivors of conversion therapy. Actors Bird and Clausen highlighted the importance of authentic teenage performances and noted the physical demands of their stunt work.
Criticism & Opposition
Some reviewers argue that the middle-act scares lack impact and that family dynamics remain underdeveloped. Others suggest the heavy metaphor may alienate viewers unfamiliar with queer horror conventions, describing the film’s tone as “off-putting” for casual audiences.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact theatrical release date, citing both June 18 and June 19. Box-office performance data have not been released, leaving commercial reception unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I grew up in a time where, as a gay man, I saw all this amazing progress built to this point where I was able to marry my husband in Australia,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “In Australia—and I guess over here in the U.S.—we sort of saw this regression in the rights for the LGBTQIA+ people, and a lot of homophobic rhetoric in the political space as well,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “This monster is very good at manipulating, and you probably would get tricked by it in real life,” — Joe Bird, Actor
- “Leviticus is about my personal experiences, and those others have shared with me,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
- “I didn't ever imagine that my first feature would go to Sundance, so it was quite a shock when we got in,” — Adrian Chiarella, Director
What’s Next
Following its initial theatrical run, Leviticus is slated for additional festival screenings and potential awards consideration, while Chiarella indicates interest in further projects that blend personal queer narratives with genre filmmaking.
