For decades, the Sundance Film Festival has been a launchpad for genre-defining horror, from The Blair Witch Project to Hereditary. In 2026, the festival delivered another breakout: Leviticus, an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age horror romance from Australia that has critics buzzing. Now, ShowtimeSpot is thrilled to share an exclusive sneak peek from the film ahead of its theatrical release next month.
Directed and written by Adrian Chiarella in his feature debut, Leviticus stars Joe Bird (known for Talk to Me) and Stacy Clausen (from Netflix's Thrash). They play Naim and Ryan, two teenage boys in a remote Australian town who are drawn together by their blossoming sexuality. But their love is threatened by religious fanaticism and a malevolent supernatural entity that takes the form of whatever—or whoever—they desire most. For Naim and Ryan, that means the entity wears each other's face, turning their passion into a relentless pursuit.
Chiarella drew inspiration from real-world horrors like conversion therapy and exorcisms, which he says "sounded like a horror movie." The result is a film that blends eerie atmosphere with a sensual, emotional core. "Every horror movie has some sort of monster," Chiarella explained. "I knew that the monster in this had to be something that took the form of what you most desired. It had to prey on your own desires."
The film's unique premise has drawn comparisons to It Follows, but Chiarella's vision is distinctly his own. The entity's ability to mirror desire adds a psychological twist that keeps audiences on edge. As Naim and Ryan try to escape, they realize the monster is inescapable—a metaphor for the persistence of queer love in the face of hatred.
NEON, the indie powerhouse behind hits like Exit 8 and Hokum, acquired Leviticus after its Sundance debut. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and Mia Wasikowska. It was produced by Causeway Films, the team behind Talk to Me and The Babadook.
For fans of horror that tackles real-world issues, Leviticus is a must-see. It joins a growing list of international horror films directed by women and men alike that push boundaries. Check out our exclusive sneak peek above, and mark your calendars for June 19, when Leviticus hits U.S. theaters.
