One of the early breakout hits from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival has already secured major distribution. The queer horror feature Leviticus has been acquired in a worldwide deal by Neon, the acclaimed indie label behind films like Parasite and Anora.
Leviticus marks the feature debut of writer-director Adrian Chiarella and follows two teenage boys whose attempt to escape a violent supernatural entity draws them into a harrowing, intimate journey. The film blends folk horror with a coming-of-age narrative, offering both psychological tension and emotional depth, a combination that clearly resonated with Sundance programmers and buyers alike.
Neon’s acquisition is one of the first major deals made at Sundance 2026, signaling strong early confidence in the title’s festival and commercial prospects. Industry insiders see this move as part of a growing trend of distributors embracing boundary-pushing horror that foregrounds diverse stories and identities, rather than relying solely on conventional genre tropes.
Festival coverage notes that Leviticus has drawn early praise not only for its chilling supernatural elements but also for how it tackles themes of identity and connection under extreme strain. The deal with Neon positions the film for a wider international rollout following its festival circuit run, though specific release timing has not yet been announced.
As Sundance continues, Leviticus joins a growing list of horror films gaining momentum at the festival, a sign that 2026 may be shaping up as one of the most creatively vibrant years for genre cinema in recent memory.
