[New Film] BIFAN Double Winner 'Leviticus': A Monster Wearing a Lover’s Face… 88 Minutes of Suffocating Taboos, Opening in Theaters on the 21st

A Tragic Horror Born of Religious Oppression

Leviticus 18:22 in the Bible states, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." Historically, 'homosexuality' has long been treated as a social taboo and a sin, and at times has been subjected to forced 'healing rituals'. The film 'Leviticus' recasts this oppressive perspective as 'occult horror', offering sharp insight.

The One They Love Most Becomes the One They Fear Most

In a remote Australian town, within a close-knit religious community, Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) secretly fall in love. But their relationship is soon discovered, and they are forced by the townspeople to undergo a healing ritual. Afterward, a bizarre and chilling 'curse' descends on the boys' everyday lives. An unknown entity begins hunting them, appearing in the likeness of each boy's most beloved partner. A monster wearing Ryan's face appears before Naim, while one wearing Naim's face appears before Ryan, creating suffocating tension.

The Isolation of a Minority Forged by a Closed Community

The film's greatest horror stems from its depiction of how blind faith isolates and destroys 'minorities'. The inability to tell whether the figure before them is the partner they truly love or a monster intent on taking their lives serves as a metaphor for the real-world terror provoked by 'society's gaze'. A desolate field and an old, dilapidated warehouse heighten the oppressive atmosphere of the town, casting the boys' desperate fight to survive—one that forces them to throw stones at each other—in an even more tragic light. The final decision they make to escape the curse delivers a weighty message in support of solidarity through love.

A Stellar Cast Brings Nuanced Emotions to Life

The cast is equally impressive. Joe Bird, of 'Talk to Me' (2022), and Stacy Clausen, of the Netflix film 'Thrash' (2026), deliver nuanced performances. Mia Wasikowska, familiar to Korean audiences from Park Chan-wook's 'Stoker' (2013), adds depth to the film as Aline, a mother who blindly follows God's will and turns away from her son's identity.

The Strength of a Two-Time Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival Winner

The feature debut of Australian director Adrian Chiarella, 'Leviticus' premiered in the Midnight section of the 40th Sundance Film Festival, drawing attention from critics around the world. It went on to win both the Best Film and Audience awards in the feature category at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), heralding the arrival of a polished horror film. Chiarella said, "I drew on the way queer storytellers throughout history have used the horror genre as a code for queer experiences," explaining his directorial intent. The film runs 88 minutes, is rated for ages 15 and up, and opens in theaters on the 21st.