Leviticus is an Australian supernatural horror movie, released in limited US theaters on June 19, 2026, starring Joe Bird as Naim and Stacy Clausen as Ryan. Written and directed by Adrian Chiarella in his feature debut, the film is a chilling and emotionally charged story about two gay teenagers tormented by a violent supernatural entity. Summoned by the homophobic religious forces in their community, the entity takes the form of the person they desire most each other.

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After breaking into an abandoned mill, the boys must confront not only external prejudice and religious trauma but also the terrifying manifestation of their own desires and fears. Blending horror with queer romance and psychological depth, it explores themes of identity, repression, and the destructive power of hate wrapped in faith. As it opens in limited US theaters on June 19, 2026 via Neon, Leviticus arrives with exceptional critical momentum.

It premiered to strong buzz at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section earlier in 2026 and has earned a 95% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from early reviews, with many calling it a landmark in LGBTQ+ horror. Critics have praised its intelligent blend of supernatural terror and emotional resonance, its handling of religious trauma, and the powerful chemistry between leads Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen. For a debut feature, it feels remarkably assured and timely.

In the US market, it is positioned as a specialty horror release that should perform well among genre fans, queer audiences, and arthouse viewers seeking something more substantive than standard jump-scare fare. Its success will be measured by strong per-screen averages in key cities, word-of-mouth within LGBTQ+ and horror communities, and potential expansion or robust VOD performance later. Internationally, its Australian roots and festival pedigree position it as one of the more talked-about genre imports of the year.

Leviticus 2026 Overview

Aspect	Details
Title	Leviticus
Directed by	Adrian Chiarella
Written by	Adrian Chiarella
Produced by	Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Hannah Ngo
Actor	Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen
Actress	Mia Wasikowska
Other Cast	Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, Edwina Wren
Cinematography	NA
Edited by	NA
Music by	NA
Production Companies	Causeway Films, Salmira Productions
Distributed by	Neon (US limited theatrical)
Release Date	June 19, 2026 (limited US theatrical)
Running Time	88 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English
Film Industry	Australian Cinema
Genre	Horror, LGBTQ+, Supernatural, Psychological
Censor Rating	R

Leviticus Day Wise Box Office Collection

Day	Date	US Collection Gross (Millions)	Fluctuation (%+/-)
Day 1	June 19, 2026	TBU (Limited/specialty theatrical opening)	(Opening Day)
Day 2	June 20, 2026	TBU	TBU
Day 3	June 21, 2026	TBU	TBU
Total US Gross	–	TBU (Strong per-screen potential in key markets with expansion possible)	–
Total Worldwide Gross	–	TBU (US limited + international festival and distribution momentum)	–

Box office data published on this website is compiled through independent research and publicly available sources for informational purposes only. Figures are approximate and may differ significantly from official producer, distributor, or studio records. Data is subject to change and may be updated, revised, or corrected at any time without prior notice as more accurate information becomes available. Tenvow makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any data presented at any given point in time. This data should not be used for commercial, financial, or legal decision-making. Tenvow is not liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this information.

Leviticus is a Hit or Flop

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Our Review

Adrian Chiarella’s feature debut Leviticus announces itself as a bold and intelligent new voice in horror. Rather than leaning solely on jump scares or gore, it uses supernatural terror as a powerful metaphor for the very real violence of repression, religious trauma, and homophobia. The result is a film that is genuinely frightening while also feeling emotionally grounded and thematically rich a rare combination that explains the strong reaction it has received since its Sundance premiere.

The story centers on two teenage boys, Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), who are navigating their feelings for each other in a community steeped in conservative religious values. After breaking into an abandoned mill, they unwittingly awaken or attract a violent supernatural entity. This entity doesn’t just attack from outside it takes the form of the person they desire most: each other.

What follows is a tense, claustrophobic battle against both the external curse and the internalized shame and fear that have been weaponized against them. The horror works on multiple levels. There are effective scares and a growing sense of dread, but the real power comes from how the film makes the supernatural feel like an extension of the boys’ psychological and social reality. The entity becomes a manifestation of everything they have been taught to fear about themselves and their desires.

Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen deliver raw, committed performances that anchor the film. Their chemistry feels authentic and charged, which makes both the romantic tension and the horror of the entity’s manifestations land with real impact. The supporting cast, including figures representing the oppressive religious community, adds to the sense of a world that is actively hostile to the boys’ existence. Chiarella directs with confidence, building atmosphere and tension while never losing sight of the emotional core.

The film’s 88-minute runtime is tight and purposeful it doesn’t waste time and keeps the pressure mounting effectively. Visually, it uses the abandoned mill and rural Australian setting to create a sense of isolation and inevitability that heightens the stakes. Thematically, Leviticus is sharp and provocative without becoming preachy. It directly engages with how religious doctrine (referenced in the title) has historically been used to demonize queer people, and it turns that idea into literal horror.

Yet it also offers moments of tenderness, desire, and resistance that make the story feel hopeful rather than purely nihilistic. The metaphor of the entity taking the boys’ own forms is particularly effective — it forces them (and the audience) to confront how self-hatred and external judgment can become monstrous. At the same time, the film never reduces its characters to victims or symbols; they remain complicated, scared, and very human teenagers trying to survive.

From a release standpoint, the limited US theatrical rollout on June 19 via Neon is the right strategy. This is not a mainstream horror blockbuster but a specialty title that will resonate most strongly with audiences who appreciate thoughtful, character-driven genre filmmaking and queer representation in horror. Early reviews and festival buzz suggest it has the critical support and cultural conversation potential to perform well on a per-screen basis in major markets and expand if word-of-mouth takes hold.

Its timing coming as Pride Month winds down adds another layer of relevance. Longer term, it has clear appeal for streaming platforms where intelligent horror and LGBTQ+ stories often find larger audiences. Leviticus is a striking and memorable debut that proves horror can be both scary and deeply meaningful. It delivers genuine supernatural thrills while using its premise to explore religious trauma, queer desire, and the courage it takes to fight back against forces that want to erase you.

With strong performances, confident direction, and a metaphor that actually earns its weight, it stands out as one of the more exciting horror releases of the summer. If you are looking for horror that has something to say alongside its scares or simply want a smart, atmospheric queer horror film Leviticus is well worth seeing in theaters during its limited US run starting June 19. Adrian Chiarella has made a film that feels like both a fresh contribution to the genre and a necessary one.

Disclaimer:

Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
All financial figures are stated in United States dollars (USD) and represented in millions, unless specified otherwise.
All dates and times mentioned follow Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5)

Reference:

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Index

Leviticus 2026 Overview

Leviticus Day Wise Box Office Collection

Our Review

By Rebecca Vaiphei