Leviticus

Directed by Adrian Chiarella
Australia
2026
87 mins
In this bold, breakout Sundance hit from Australian Adrian Chiarella, two teenage boys contend with an evil force that takes on the form of the person they desire most: each other.

In a sleepy regional Victorian town, teen boys Naim (Joe Bird, Talk to Me) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) form a powerful attraction – a sin in their God-fearing, conservative Christian community. When their budding queer love is discovered, Naim and Ryan are subjected to a radical conversion therapy ritual by a mysterious 'healer' (Nicholas Hope, Bad Boy Bubby). A sinister supernatural entity is thereby released, targeting only the boys and taking the form of what they desire most: each other. The astonishingly clever feature debut of award-winning Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella (Dwarf Planet, SFF Dendy Awards 2021), the film melds coming-of-age romance, supernatural queer horror and a touch of It Follows into its chilling curse narrative. The two young leads Bird and Clausen lend a believable chemistry and tenderness to their roles, making their eventual terror all the more palpable. From the producers of Talk to Me, and bolstered by impressive supporting turns from Mia Wasikowska and Ewen Leslie, Leviticus is an electrifying showcase for Australian screen talent, and a worthy new entry in the canon of homegrown horror.

A tightly conceived, gripping queer horror that reaches for unassuming brilliance through a supernatural premise that’s as terrifying as it is thematically relevant.
Carlos Aguilar, Variety

Special Guests

Adrian Chiarella
Director

Adrian Chiarella is an award-winning Australian screenwriter and director, with previous short films including TOUCH (2014), BLACK LIPS (2018) and DWARF PLANET (SFF Dendy Awards 2021). Previous TV credits include TOTALLY COMPLETELY FINE (Stan), FIVE BEDROOMS (Paramount+) and EROTIC STORIES (SBS). He is a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Tickets

Sat 6 June 2026, 6:30pm
State Theatre
1 Guest
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Sun 7 June 2026, 11:30am
State Theatre
1 Guest
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Mon 8 June 2026, 6:45pm
Ritz Randwick - Cinema 1
1 Guest
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Presented By
Alt Media (Star Observer)
  • Program Strand
  • Year
    2026
  • Classification
    Unclassified 18+
  • Country
    Australia
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    Adrian Chiarella
  • Producer
    Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Hannah Ngo
  • Cast
    Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska
  • Screenwriter
    Adrian Chiarella
  • Cinematographer
    Tyson Perkins
  • Editor
    Nick Fenton
  • Composer
    Jed Kurzel
  • Genre
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Maslow Entertainment
  • Official Website
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We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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