Tales & Tomes

Movie Basics

• Title: Leviticus (2026)
• Director: Adrian Chiarella
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Genre: Supernatural Horror | LGBTQ+ | Psychological Horror | Romance
• Country: Australia
• Starring: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, and Tyallah Bullock.

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

Leviticus follows two teenage boys, Naim and Ryan, who develop an unexpected romantic connection in a conservative Australian community where their feelings are anything but welcomed. When their relationship comes to the attention of the adults around them, a religious intervention intended to rid them of their desires unleashes something far more sinister.

A violent supernatural entity begins pursuing the boys, taking the form of the person its victims desire most. Suddenly, the very thing they are being taught to fear becomes something they cannot escape.

Blending supernatural horror with an emotionally charged coming-of-age story, Leviticus explores the consequences of religious intolerance, repression, and what happens when people are made to believe that something fundamental about themselves needs to be fixed.

My Review (Spoilers Included)

I went into Leviticus expecting a supernatural horror movie, but what I found was something considerably more interesting. Beneath the horror, the film tells a story about acceptance, identity, religious expectations, and the consequences of trying to change someone simply because you don’t agree with who they are.

First, I absolutely loved how this movie was filmed. The darker cinematography, the use of shadows, and the overall atmosphere created a sense of dread that felt present throughout the entire movie. There is something particularly effective about not always knowing what is waiting in the darkness. The film doesn’t need to constantly rely on showing us the monster because the atmosphere does so much of the work. I really appreciated how the darker shots complemented the subject matter, making the world feel just as suffocating as the circumstances Naim and Ryan find themselves in.

The story itself is strong, and I think the supernatural concept is particularly clever. Having an entity take the form of the person someone desires most is such an interesting way to explore attraction, vulnerability, and fear. The thing that should bring someone comfort becomes the very thing they have to run from. There is something especially heartbreaking about that idea when you consider that Naim and Ryan are already living in a community where they are being taught to fear their own feelings.

The performances also help carry the emotional weight of the story. Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen do a wonderful job portraying two young people trying to navigate their feelings while dealing with an environment that gives them very little room to be themselves. Their connection is an important part of what makes the horror work. We aren’t simply watching two characters trying to survive a supernatural threat. We’re watching two people trying to hold onto something meaningful while the world around them is actively working against them.

Now, let’s talk about Naim’s mother, Arlene.

Girl. If you knew, why not just accept him?

I found her character particularly frustrating because of the contradiction between being a parent who presumably loves her child and being someone who participates in trying to change him. I understand that her religious beliefs and the community around her influence her decisions, but that doesn’t make the consequences any less harmful. There is a difference between wanting the best for your child and deciding that the best version of your child is someone who is fundamentally different from who they are.

What makes this especially upsetting is that Naim isn’t asking for anything extraordinary. He wants to be able to exist, to have feelings, and to experience a connection with another person without being treated as though something is wrong with him. Instead of offering him the support and security he needs, the adults around him turn his identity into something that needs intervention.

And that is where the film’s horror becomes much more than supernatural.

The religious ritual is supposed to be an act of cleansing, an attempt to remove something considered undesirable. Instead, it creates the very monster that begins terrorizing everyone. I think that is a particularly effective metaphor. The community is so determined to eliminate something it doesn’t understand that it ends up creating something genuinely destructive.

There is also something worth considering about the title itself. Leviticus references the biblical book frequently used to justify condemnation of homosexuality. The choice of title immediately establishes the tension between religious doctrine, personal identity, and the way scripture can be interpreted and used against others.

I also really enjoyed the musical score. It adds another layer of emotion to the film, particularly when the story shifts away from the immediate horror and allows us to sit with what the characters are experiencing. The music feels moving without taking away from the darker atmosphere. It helps make the film feel like more than a traditional horror experience.

My one real criticism is the ending. As someone who likes stories to have a proper sense of closure, I found myself wanting more reassurance about what happens to Naim and Ryan. I want to know they’re going to be okay! I understand that horror films don’t always owe their audiences a neat, happy ending, and I appreciate that the filmmakers leave room for interpretation. However, I personally wanted a little more resolution after everything these two had endured.

I think the film does a great job establishing its themes and creating an emotional connection with its characters, but I wanted to leave the movie feeling a little more certain about their future.

Ultimately, Leviticus is a really interesting horror film because its scariest elements aren’t necessarily the supernatural ones. It’s the people, beliefs, and expectations surrounding these boys that make the story so uncomfortable. The monster might be fictional, but the experiences that make the story resonate are very real.

My Favorite Aspect

My favorite aspect is the cinematography and the way the film uses darkness to create tension.

I love when a horror movie understands that what you don’t see can be just as frightening as what you do. The darker visuals, the atmosphere, and the score work together to create an experience that feels unsettling without needing to constantly overwhelm the audience with scares.

I also really appreciated the underlying message about acceptance. There is something incredibly sad about watching someone be made to feel that they need to change a part of themselves to earn love and approval.

Naim deserved a mother who would stand beside him, not one who would try to change him…

Would I Recommend It?

I would recommend Leviticus to anyone who enjoys supernatural horror with a meaningful story underneath the scares. It offers an interesting monster concept, strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and themes that give the film something to say beyond simply entertaining its audience.

However, I would also say that this isn’t necessarily a feel-good horror movie. It explores religious intolerance, homophobia, conversion practices, and the emotional consequences of rejection. Some of its subject matter may be particularly difficult for viewers who have experienced similar situations.

If you’re looking for a straightforward horror movie with a neatly wrapped-up ending, this might not completely satisfy you. But if you enjoy films that leave you thinking about their characters, themes, and symbolism after the credits roll, I think this is worth your time.

Overall Rating:

A visually striking and emotionally moving horror film that reminds us that sometimes the most frightening monsters aren’t supernatural at all. Sometimes they’re the people who are supposed to love us unconditionally.

Have you watched Leviticus? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you find the ending satisfying, or were you also left wanting a little more reassurance about Naim and Ryan?