After ‘Obsession’s’ Success, ‘Leviticus’ Is Set to Dominate June

The horror film ‘Leviticus’ is gaining significant attention ahead of its theatrical release, with early indicators suggesting it could emerge as one of the standout genre hits of June.

Distributed by Neon, known for several acclaimed horror titles, ‘Leviticus’ marks the feature-length debut of Australian filmmaker Adrian Chiarella. The film premiered at Sundance earlier this year in the Midnight section, quickly sparking discussions among critics and audiences alike.

Described as a supernatural horror romance, the story follows two teenage boys who must survive while being pursued by a dark entity. This creature can take the form of the person each victim desires most, adding a psychological twist to the horror. The film delves into themes of identity, fear, and repression, while also addressing issues of homophobia and conversion therapy.

Festival reports indicate that early reactions to ‘Leviticus’ have been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have praised its emotional storytelling alongside its horror elements, with the film currently holding a 95 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on initial reviews, placing it among the highest-rated films of the year.

One reviewer described the film as both disturbing and emotional. Benjamin Lee of The Guardian called it “a haunting and innovative horror film”, praising the chemistry between the lead actors. Marshall Shaffer of Slant Magazine noted it was “at times intensely creepy”, while also highlighting its strong coming-of-age romance with emotional depth.

Richard Lawson of The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the film “takes a solemn, eerie look at homophobia and repression”, emphasizing its deeper social themes. Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting also commended the performances, stating that “Leviticus owes much of its success to the tremendous performances by its two leads.”

The cast features Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Nicholas Hope, and others. Bird and Clausen portray the two teenagers whose relationship serves as the emotional core of the film, with their performances frequently highlighted in early reviews as a standout aspect.

Developed through VicScreen’s Originate initiative and supported by Screen Australia funding, the film was produced by Causeway Films in collaboration with Samira Productions. The production also benefited from post-production work by VicScreen and Kojo Studio, showcasing strong industry backing.

‘Leviticus’ premiered at Sundance in January 2026 and later screened at the Sydney Film Festival in June. Neon acquired worldwide distribution rights outside Australia and New Zealand for approximately 5 million US dollars. The film is scheduled for release in Australia on June 18, followed by a US release the next day.

Interest in the film is rapidly growing online, with trailers and fan edits circulating on social media and garnering millions of views. The early buzz indicates that word-of-mouth could significantly influence its performance, similar to recent horror breakout hits.

With strong reviews, increasing online attention, and a reputable distributor behind it, ‘Leviticus’ is being closely monitored as a potential surprise success in the horror genre this year.

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