Scene from “Leviticus”
After igniting a massive bidding war at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Adrian Chiarella’s feature debut, Leviticus, is being hailed as the next modern masterpiece in gay horror.
Recently acquired by NEON, this Australian supernatural thriller follows the secret romance between teenagers Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) within a devout Christian community. When their relationship is discovered, the community’s attempt to “cure” them through a ritual backfires, unleashing a shapeshifting entity that takes the form of their deepest desires.
The film serves as a stinging allegory for the trauma of conversion therapy, turning the boys’ attraction into a lethal weapon as they are stalked by violent versions of one another.
The ensemble is anchored by Mia Wasikowska, who returns to the screen with a haunting performance as a mother torn between her faith and her family.
Produced by the team behind Talk to Me, the film blends high-tension aesthetic with a visceral supernatural concept that critics describe as both heartbreaking and terrifying.
NEON has slated Leviticus for a wide theatrical release on June 19, 2026, positioning the star-crossed nightmare as the most anticipated genre film of the summer.
WATCH THE TRAILER:
