“Leviticus” has creeping discomfort
Updated 10.10 | Published 09.47
Leviticus
Directed by Adrian Chiarella, with Joe Bird, Mia Wasikowska, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt.
MOVIE REVIEW. Queer horror, conversion exorcisms and fine acting in new Australian horror.
“Obsession” and “Backrooms” have become the most talked about of the year, but it is “Leviticus” that you should see.
QUEER HORROR. Naim (Joe Bird) is new to the little den and to the religious community his mother (Mia Wasikowska) applied to, and starts hanging out with bully Ryan (Stacy Clausen). One thing leads to another and soon they have been subjected to a “liberation healing” by a priest who will take away their lust. The result is terrifying.
The title “Leviticus” is also another name for the Bible’s book of Leviticus, where there are verses that are usually emphasized as a prohibition against homosexual acts between men.
Religious who condemn
Also, the biggest threat in the film does not come from what begins to hunt Naim and Ryan after the cruel conversion exorcism, but from parents who do not listen, religious who condemn – and loneliness.
“Leviticus” is based more on creeping atmosphere and an unpleasant reality than on the shock effect, and also contains a love story that is felt.
Innovative horror film
Bird, who provided the most memorable effort – and one of the most unpleasant scenes of recent years – in “Talk to me” this year takes off together with Clausen and the director Adrian Chiarella an already innovative horror film with their chemistry and how they capture attraction, love, sex and fear.
“Obsession” and “Backrooms” have become the most talked about horror of the year, but it is “Leviticus” that you should see in the first place.
Shown in cinemas.
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