I caught an early screening of Leviticus, and honestly, it’s haunted me ever since. Most horror movies deliver quick scares that fade away quickly. But this one? The storyline sticks with you. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your mind long after it’s over.
Leviticus follows two teenage boys, Naim and Ryan, whose relationship becomes dangerous once it’s exposed in their deeply religious small town. What begins as a story about young love under pressure quickly turns into something far more disturbing when the adults around them respond with fear, judgment, and cruelty, disguised as moral righteousness. As the boys are pushed further into isolation, a supernatural force is unleashed — one that takes on an especially twisted form, reflecting their desire, shame, and vulnerability back at them. From there, the film becomes both a survival story and a psychological horror piece, using its central threat to explore the terror of being seen as sinful by the very people who claim to want to save you.
The performances are surprisingly strong. Joe Bird as Naim is incredible: He doesn’t need many words to show every ounce of fear, hope, and exhaustion. You feel it all in his eyes. Stacy Clausen as Ryan also surprised me with a layered performance. Watching him open up and show vulnerability made everything feel real, raw, and heartbreaking. Their quiet moments together hit the hardest — they feel genuine.
The performances are surprisingly strong. Joe Bird as Naim is incredible: He doesn’t need many words to show every ounce of fear, hope, and exhaustion. You feel it all in his eyes. Stacy Clausen as Ryan also surprised me with a layered performance. Watching him open up and show vulnerability made everything feel real, raw, and heartbreaking. Their quiet moments together hit the hardest — they feel genuine.
The supporting cast is just as good. Mia Wasikowska plays Naim’s mom with a quiet, almost detached presence. She comes across as cold and unreadable, playing the role so well that I disliked her — which is exactly the point. Nicholas Hope as the so-called “Deliverance Healer” is downright unsettling: calm, polite, and utterly convincing.
On a technical note, the film is tight and effective. Tyson Perkins’s camerawork keeps everything close, tense, and intimate. Jed Kurzel’s score sneaks in subtly, slowly building an uneasy atmosphere. The film is only 88 minutes long, but every second feels purposeful — no fluff, no filler.
As I mentioned, what stayed with me is what the film is really about. The title points to a biblical verse, and the story uses that to explore how religion and hate can distort love. For me, the horror isn’t just the creature — it’s what the church and the parents do to these kids. They call it love, but what they do is deeply wrong.
Leviticus hits theaters on June 19. If you’re into psychological horror, this film is for you.
