One of my most anticipated films at SXSW 2026 was Leviticus. This supernatural Australian horror film was written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, marking his feature film debut. Two teenage boys from a conservative religious community begin a secret romance. When they’re discovered, a sinister entity attaches itself to the boys and takes on the form of the person they desire the most.

Many audiences watching Leviticus will likely draw comparisons to It Follows. There is a sinister, unrelenting entity that can take on the form of different people and it can only be seen by its victim. It will never stop and if it gets its hands on you, it’s unlikely you will survive the encounter. Yet Chiarella still manages to create a different mythos that makes Leviticus feel unique. Naim is the new kid in town having just moved to the area with his widowed mother. In order to find a community in this new place, Naim and his mother attend a local church. It doesn’t take long for Niam to form a connection with local teen, Ryan, who attends the same school and church. They begin a secret love affair, but after they’re discovered a mysterious preacher comes to perform a ritual on the teens. This is how the demonic entity attaches to Naim and Ryan. Not only can this demon only be seen by its victim, it also takes on the form of who the victim most desires. In the case of Naim and Ryan, it looks like each other, creating a constant sense of terror and paranoia whenever they see each other. What makes this film so powerful and heartbreaking is that the ritual is essentially an extreme form of conversion therapy. The entity will either condition the victim to fear who they’re attracted to, drive them mad, or kill them. What’s worse is the parents of these teens know exactly what the ritual will do. They’re filled with so much hate and small-mindedness that they’re willing to risk the life of their child if it means they won’t be gay anymore. It makes the entire situation all the more distressing as Naim and Ryan desperately try to survive while still being together. It’s a compelling story that unfortunately is still relevant in today’s world.

Every performance in Leviticus is a knockout. Joe Bird (Talk to Me, Wolfram) returns to horror to play Naim. Naim is a bit on the shy, reserved side. Yet Bird makes it abundantly clear Naim will do just about anything for the people he cares about. This is such a wonderful, nuanced performance as he conveys feelings of terror, grief, love, determination, and the feeling of not fitting in. Stacy Clausen (Crazy Fun Park, True Spirit) plays Ryan. Clausen exudes an effortless cool confidence, yet once Ryan is cursed with the demon his confidence is shaken. He becomes reliant on Naim, unable to trust his own mind. The chemistry between Bird and Clausen is outstanding, creating pure electricity on screen as these two teens experience an intense first love. Both young men also do a great job at giving very different performances depending on if they’re the real Naim and Ryan or the demon in disguise. When acting as the demon, they bring an intensity and a physicality that is absolutely frightening. The film also features strong performances from Shannon Berry (The Wilds), Jeremy Blewitt (The Clearing), and even Mia Wasikowska (Crimson Peak) as Naim’s mother.

Audiences will immediately be struck by the cinematography of Leviticus. It gives the setting, which often looks fairly industrial and rundown, an other-worldly appearance. It also makes the desolate locations appear more haunting and beautiful, whether it be an empty public pool or a dilapidated old mill. Even the church setting is different than one might expect. Instead of holding Sunday services at an old church with stained glass windows, this church is a smaller, poorer, more modern building only fitting a small congregation. The color grading of Leviticus is also interesting. For the most part, the film is almost monochromatic, giving everything a grey, dirty tinge. The only colors that stand out are blues and the blood reds for the more violent scenes. The film features minor, yet very well done practical effects for wounds as well as a haunting score that adds to the emotional depth of the plot.

Leviticus is a heart-wrenching tale of queer love, small-town hate, and an unstoppable demonic force. Chiarella makes an outstanding feature-film debut. While it’s easy to make comparisons between this film and It Follows, the queer themes and love story at the heart of this story make for a compelling, unique viewing experience. Bird and Clausen give absolutely breathtaking performances with such strong chemistry it’s impossible not to be drawn into their love story. With such strong performances, striking visuals, and a terrifying mythos, there is so much to enjoy about this thought-provoking horror film. If you missed Leviticus at SXSW, don’t fret. You can witness the love and terror of Leviticus in select theaters beginning June 19th.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10