Story perspectives

Witch Spell Targets Queer Teens After Church Assault

6/22/2026

Summary

Ryan Battles Witch

A girl is attacked while showering after being sent to a church because she likes girls.
Naim and Ryan meet in a mill, share a joint, kiss, and later discover Ryan with the pastor’s son, revealing his sexuality.
The preacher summons a witch whose spell turns queer youth into victims, causing Ryan to punch Naim, exposing Naim’s mother as a monster, and leading to bloody fighting implying intimate partner violence.

Summary

Chiarella Tackles Homophobia

Director Adrian Chiarella says he made “Leviticus” after the 2017 Australian gay-marriage referendum, which passed with two thirds support but sparked online hate.
He describes the shape-shifting entity as a metaphor for homophobia, noting that the “healer” ritual mirrors conversion-therapy practices that scare LGBTQ+ people.
Lead actor Joe Bird and co-star Stacy Clausen spent two weeks bonding in pre-production, forging a friendship Chiarella said was for on-screen chemistry.

1 of 2

Ryan Battles Witch

A girl is attacked while showering after being sent to a church because she likes girls.
Naim and Ryan meet in a mill, share a joint, kiss, and later discover Ryan with the pastor’s son, revealing his sexuality.
The preacher summons a witch whose spell turns queer youth into victims, causing Ryan to punch Naim, exposing Naim’s mother as a monster, and leading to bloody fighting implying intimate partner violence.

1 / 2