Leviticus
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.
Special Guests

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

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.
We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Don’t miss a thing!
Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.



