Leviticus

"Leviticus Q&A," by Valentina Moreno

"Exodus was all about redemption. But Leviticus is about something we don’t hear much about today, and that is holiness. When you read the word holiness, what comes to your mind? The first ought to be the character of God. Because He is holy and God expects His people to be holy," (Pauley).

Will this guilt always linger?

As human beings, it feels almost inevitable to carry shame when the voices of past and present "believers" project their judgments onto us. We are hungry for truth and community, yet there are always those willing to exploit these exact vulnerabilities. It is a frightening reality.

I have never been someone who enjoys horror. Turning 21 soon, I still feel like a child covering my eyes during scary scenes. However, there is something entirely different about Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus.

The film follows Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), two closeted teenagers forced to confront a violent entity summoned by their church. The demon takes the form of the person they desire most: each other. While the theme of religious homophobia permeates the film, Chiarella’s execution is subtle, subliminal, even. The result is hauntingly beautiful.

I recently met a few Australians, and while I might be late to the party, I am officially sold: Australian horror is epic. Is it too early to declare Leviticus the best horror film of the year?

This screening was made possible thanks to Film Independent and NEON Rated. To avoid spoiling the film, I want to focus instead on the event's Q&A portion. After the credits rolled, the audience was treated to a panel featuring Adrian Chiarella, Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, and Obsession star Michael Johnston.

Chiarella shared deep insights into the film’s origins, the production process, and the casting journey. After the rollercoaster of a screening, the team's warmth and kindness instantly lit up the room. Hearing the crew discuss how they built this cinematic world made the audience feel like privileged flies on the wall.

When Johnston asked the young leads about their surreal on-screen chemistry, Bird playfully revealed that a quick game of Fortnite sparked their real-life friendship. Both natural talents, Bird and Clausen masterfully craft the world their characters inhabit. Naim and Ryan share a love that is sacred, yet they have been conditioned to believe it is wrong. The tension between them builds relentlessly, a slow burn intentionally engineered by Chiarella.

"Stacy Clausen," by Valentina Moreno

I loved it. Leviticus is terrifying, but deeply honest. The horror feels profoundly real because the true monster isn't just the entity on screen; it is the underlying fear projected by the people in Naim and Ryan’s lives.

I can't recall the exact phrasing, but Mia Wasikowska who plays Naim's mother, Arlene, states the importance of fear throughout the film. I have always battled with this mindset. There must be limits to this. Fear is dangerous, unexpected, and rarely can we find an off-switch for it. 

Intelligent, honest, and a love story that must be watched in the big screen.

I loved it.

I urge you all to see this film, even the scaredy-cat's like me.

"Joe Bird," by Valentina Moreno

Sources used:

Pauley, Scott. "Journey Through Leviticus." Enjoying the Journey, https://enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-leviticus/.