Leviticus
In a sleepy regional Victorian town, teen boys Naim (Joe Bird, Talk to Me) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen) form a powerful attraction – a sin in their God-fearing, conservative Christian community. When their budding queer love is discovered, Naim and Ryan are subjected to a radical conversion therapy ritual by a mysterious 'healer' (Nicholas Hope, Bad Boy Bubby). A sinister supernatural entity is thereby released, targeting only the boys and taking the form of what they desire most: each other. The astonishingly clever feature debut of award-winning Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella (Dwarf Planet, SFF Dendy Awards 2021), the film melds coming-of-age romance, supernatural queer horror and a touch of It Follows into its chilling curse narrative. The two young leads Bird and Clausen lend a believable chemistry and tenderness to their roles, making their eventual terror all the more palpable. From the producers of Talk to Me, and bolstered by impressive supporting turns from Mia Wasikowska and Ewen Leslie, Leviticus is an electrifying showcase for Australian screen talent, and a worthy new entry in the canon of homegrown horror.
Special Guests
Adrian Chiarella is an award-winning Australian screenwriter and director, with previous short films including TOUCH (2014), BLACK LIPS (2018) and DWARF PLANET (SFF Dendy Awards 2021). Previous TV credits include TOTALLY COMPLETELY FINE (Stan), FIVE BEDROOMS (Paramount+) and EROTIC STORIES (SBS). He is a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Joe Bird is an undeniable young talent who was critically recognised for his performance in the smash hit horror film TALK TO ME. In 2025, Joe won the AACTA Young Stars National Casting Call Award as a rising star to watch. Joe’s additional screen credits include the Australian feature film RABBIT and season two of the Emmy- nominated ABC series FIRST DAY. Joe has also appeared in several short films, most notably THE WORM by Tom Noakes, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026.
The acclaimed horror film, LEVITICUS, marks Joe’s first leading role.
Tickets
- Program Strand
- Year2026
- ClassificationUnclassified 18+
- CountryAustralia
- LanguageIn English
- DirectorAdrian Chiarella
- ProducerSamantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Hannah Ngo
- CastJoe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska
- ScreenwriterAdrian Chiarella
- CinematographerTyson Perkins
- EditorNick Fenton
- ComposerJed Kurzel
- Genre
- PremiereAustralian Premiere
- Company CreditsAustralian Distributor: Maslow Entertainment
- Official Website
Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.
We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
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