Australian Queer Horror Leviticus Opens in Theaters Amid Summer Horror Surge

The Australian supernatural horror film Leviticus opened in cinemas on Friday, June 18 2026, joining a summer lineup that has seen horror titles such as Backrooms and Obsession perform strongly at the box office. The film, written and directed by Adrian Chiarella in his feature debut, follows two gay teenagers who are tormented by a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most.

Leviticus premiered on January 23 2026 in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and later screened at SXSW. The film was acquired for worldwide distribution by Neon, and it is set for a limited theatrical release in Australia on the same day it opened in the United States.

Chiarella explained the premise in an interview with ABC Audio: “What if there was some ritual that put some seed of fear inside of its victims to make them scared of their own desires? And that’s where I came up with this idea of a horror movie monster or an entity that looks like the person you’re most attracted to.” He added that the horror element was paired with a love story, stating, “And once I had that, I thought, well, now I’ve got a horror movie, but I really want to focus on this other thing that I’m interested in, which is the love story.”

The film’s two leads, Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, play Naim and Ryan, teenage boys who are each forced to undergo a ritual in their devoutly Christian community aimed at scaring them straight. Bird said, “I think the love story has to work for the horror to work, because you’ve got to care about these characters and care about this relationship.”

Leviticus has drawn comparisons to the queer hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, with a Letterboxd review dubbing it “Haunted Rivalry.” Chiarella and Bird have expressed appreciation for being mentioned alongside other impactful queer stories, noting that the film is part of an ecosystem that allows audiences to continue conversations about queer representation.

The film’s cast also includes Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and executive producer Mia Wasikowska. Chiarella’s background includes work on the SBS anthology series Erotic Stories and the short film Dwarf Planet, which screened at the 68th Sydney Film Festival in 2021.

In addition to its theatrical release, Leviticus is available for streaming on Plex, where it is listed as a 2026 release. The film’s distribution strategy reflects a broader trend of horror titles finding success both in theaters and on digital platforms during the summer season.

The release of Leviticus comes at a time when the horror genre is experiencing a surge in popularity. According to industry data, horror films such as Backrooms and Obsession have seen strong box‑office returns, and the genre’s appeal has expanded to include queer narratives that address themes of homophobia and religious trauma.

Neon’s acquisition of Leviticus positions the film within a growing catalog of queer‑centered horror. The studio’s distribution plan includes a limited theatrical run followed by availability on streaming services, a strategy that has proven effective for similar titles.

Leviticus is currently playing in theaters across Australia and the United States. Ticket sales data for the opening weekend are not yet publicly available, but the film’s presence in major festivals and its acquisition by a prominent distributor suggest that it will attract audiences interested in both supernatural horror and queer storytelling.

The film’s release date, cast, and thematic focus have been confirmed by multiple sources, including the film’s official website, festival programs, and press releases from Neon and the production company.

As the summer box office continues to favor horror, Leviticus offers a distinct blend of supernatural terror and queer romance that aligns with current audience interests. The film’s performance in the coming weeks will indicate how well this combination resonates with viewers.

In summary, Leviticus opens in theaters on June 18 2026, bringing a queer horror narrative to a market that is receptive to the genre. The film’s festival success, Neon distribution, and focus on homophobia and desire position it as a notable entry in the summer horror lineup.