Leviticus

Following the death of his father, teenager Naim Reid (Joe Bird) and his mother Arlene (Mia Wasikowska) relocate to a remote, devoutly evangelical town in regional Victoria. Struggling to fit into his suffocating new surroundings, Naim forms a connection with Ryan Whelan (Stacy Clausen), a confident local teenager. After sneaking into an abandoned mill, their playful roughhousing evolves into a passionate, secret romance away from the watchful eyes of the community.

However, the town’s social life is dominated by an uncompromising Christian ministry led by Pastor Rod (Ewen Leslie). When romantic secrets among the local youth spill over, the church hierarchy enlists an itinerant "deliverance healer" (Nicholas Hope) to perform ritualistic exorcisms designed to purge young congregation members of same-sex attraction.

Instead of banishing a evil force, the terrifying ritual unleashes a violent, shapeshifting supernatural entity that haunts its victims by appearing as the person they desire most. Trapped in a nightmare where desire itself triggers danger, Naim and Ryan must navigate a entity wearing the face of the boy they love, forcing them to question every shadow while confronting the systemic bigotry of the adults who failed them.

Writer-director Adrian Chiarella created Leviticus to subvert the homophobic trope of the "gay demon" often cited during religious exorcisms and conversion therapy. Rather than portraying homosexuality as a demonic influence to be cleansed, the film demonstrates that the conversion ritual itself implants a destructive force.

The core message asserts that religious repression and conversion practices do not eliminate love; they weaponize trauma, infecting young people with a paralyzing terror of their own natural feelings. The true horror of Leviticus stems not merely from the supernatural creature, but from authority figures and well-meaning parents who enforce dogma through fear, mistaking psychological abuse for spiritual salvation.

Literal Supernatural Curse: The deliverance healer invoked a genuine dark entity that preys on physical and emotional desire, demonstrating that the church's hyper-fixation on sin actually brings malice into the community.

Developed through VicScreen’s Originate program, Leviticus emerged amid global conversations surrounding bans on conversion practices and rising social polarization.

Following its Sundance debut, the film achieved critical acclaim (92% Rotten Tomatoes, 82 Metacritic). It won the Jury Prize at the 50th Frameline Film Festival and screened at SXSW, the Sydney Film Festival, and New Directors/New Films at MoMA.

Critics noted Leviticus established a distinct subgenre of "queer religious horror," standing alongside Australian hits like The Babadook and Talk to Me.

Praised Aspects:

• The chemistry and vulnerable performances of leads Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen.
• Mia Wasikowska’s chillingly subtle portrayal of misguided parental authority.
• Jed Kurzel’s eerie, atmospheric score and Tyson Perkins’ wide-angle cinematography.
• The subversion of conversion therapy tropes into a compelling horror metaphor.

Main Points of Criticism:

• At 88 minutes, some viewers felt the second act rushed through world-building regarding the church’s hierarchy.
• Minor complaints regarding the abrupt, open-ended nature of the climax.

Controversial Moments:

• The intense, disturbing conversion ritual where teenagers convulse and vomit on screen.
• Naim’s initial act of jealous betrayal in outing Ryan and Hunter.

Overall Verdict: A taut, deeply moving, and terrifying entry into contemporary Australian genre cinema that successfully balances coming-of-age romance with supernatural horror.