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Queer Horror: Sundance's "Leviticus" Reclaims Genre
25 Jan
Summary
- The film explores a queer love story using horror elements.
- It aims to reclaim the horror genre's historical ties to LGBTQ+ artists.
- Director Chiarella focused on crafting a compelling script for actors.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is abuzz with Adrian Chiarella's directorial debut, "Leviticus." This film, featured in the Midnight program, tells the story of two teenage boys in rural Australia who fall in love, only for their small town to employ sinister methods to keep them apart.
Chiarella, along with stars Mia Wasikowska, Stacy Clausen, and Joe Bird, discussed the film's innovative use of horror to convey a queer narrative. Chiarella expressed his intention to reclaim the genre, which he believes has deep roots and influence from LGBTQ+ artists and audiences.
Wasikowska lauded Chiarella's vision, stating the script was brilliant from the first read. Chiarella explained that his background in film development informed his approach to scriptwriting, ensuring a compelling narrative that is also engaging on the page for creative collaborators.
