TL;DR
- Leviticus is a new gay horror film.
- It explores themes of love and conversion therapy.
- The film features a supernatural entity.
- Premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
- Out now in Australia and the US.
Is Leviticus the best gay horror of the year? You bet your rainbow flag it is! This Australian queer supernatural horror-romance film is making waves and is already being hailed as the best queer horror film of the year. Writer-director Adrian Chiarella’s feature debut had a triumphant premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and now it’s hitting screens in some countries. Buckle up, because this film sheds new light on conversion therapy like you’ve never seen before.
So, what’s the deal with this film? Leviticus follows high school classmates Naim and Ryan, who find themselves falling for each other in a deeply religious community. But when their secret is discovered, the church decides to intervene in the most horrifying way possible—by forcing them into an exorcism, a twisted form of conversion therapy. This isn’t just a scary flick; it’s a chilling exploration of love, fear, and the horrors of repression. As if that wasn’t enough, a violent entity is unleashed that shape-shifts into the person they love most. Talk about a nightmare!
The film’s official synopsis reads: “Two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other.” Sounds gripping, right? But it’s not just about the scares; Leviticus is a metaphor for the queer experience and the internalized homophobia that many face. The shape-shifting supernatural entity embodies their forbidden desires, making for a terrifying yet poignant depiction of repressed sexuality.
Chiarella’s film also offers a timely perspective on conversion therapy, joining the ranks of recent explorations like Boy Erased and The Miseducation of Cameron Post, but with a distinctly horror twist. And let’s not forget the name—Leviticus is a nod to the Old Testament chapter often cited by those who oppose LGBTQ+ rights. Talk about a bold statement!
Chiarella himself said, “The genre of horror movies has operated as this secret code amongst queer people. We are so drawn to horror movies because we’re watching not just the heroes in these films be terrorized by monsters – but there’s also this sense of what it means to be the monster. What it means to be demonized and to be pushed to the fringes of society.” This film is not just entertainment; it’s a reflection of the struggles many LGBTQ+ individuals face.
Now, let’s talk about the cast. The leads, Naim and Ryan, are played by Joe Bird from Talk to Me and Stacy Clausen from Thrash, respectively. The talented Mia Wasikowska plays Arlene, Naim’s mother, while Ewen Leslie takes on the role of Rod, Hunter’s father. And let’s not forget Davida McKenzie as Izzie, Hunter’s sister. This cast is packed with talent!
So when can you catch Leviticus? The film is out today, June 19, in Australia and the US. Unfortunately, there’s no UK release or streaming date just yet, but keep your eyes peeled. This is one film you won’t want to miss!