Just a few months ago, almost no one had heard of Leviticus. Today, the Australian horror film is being celebrated as one of the most anticipated genre releases of the year as it prepares to make its theatrical debut this week.
Written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, Leviticus first captured attention at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Its striking combination of supernatural horror and deeply emotional storytelling quickly sparked conversation among critics and distributors alike. The momentum only grew when Neon acquired the film, providing it with a major platform ahead of its U.S. release on June 19. An Australian release is set to follow on June 18.
At the heart of the story are two teenage boys whose evolving relationship becomes entwined with a terrifying supernatural force. Rather than leaning entirely on familiar horror conventions, Leviticus uses its demonic presence as a vehicle to explore themes of identity, fear, and acceptance. The result is a film that has been described as both emotionally devastating and profoundly unsettling.
Much of the film’s growing reputation has been fueled by the response from early audiences. Following its festival screenings, Leviticus has emerged as one of the most talked-about horror titles of 2026, drawing comparisons to acclaimed modern genre hits such as Talk to Me and The Babadook. Critics have praised the film’s immersive atmosphere, strong performances, and its willingness to confront difficult subject matter through the lens of supernatural horror.
With Neon gearing up for a wide release this weekend, horror fans will soon discover whether Leviticus can live up to the mounting hype and become the next breakout genre phenomenon. Until then, it remains one of the year’s most intriguing, and most discussed horror films.
