Australian Horror Film Leviticus Lands A$7.1M Deal, Releases June 18

Australian filmmaker Adrian Chiarella’s debut feature Leviticus sold for A$7.1 million to distributor Neon after sparking a bidding war at Sundance Film Festival in January. The horror film explores homophobia through a supernatural lens and releases in Australia on June 18, with a US release on June 19. Early reviews have been positive, positioning the film as a potential breakthrough for Australian horror cinema.

How Fear Became the Story

Chiarella grew up in a multicultural family in Sydney with an Italian father and a Chinese mother. He discovered early that fear transcended cultural and language barriers in ways humour did not. A scary story would captivate relatives across both sides of his family, while jokes often fell flat. This insight shaped his approach to filmmaking and led him to view horror as a universal language that binds people together through primal survival instinct.

The Plot and Its Message

Leviticus follows 17-year-old Naim and schoolmate Ryan as they begin a tentative romance in a Bible belt Australian town. After their parents discover the relationship, the boys are taken to church for a religious ceremony that unleashes a shapeshifting demon. The demon takes the form of whoever its victim desires most, forcing the boys to question whether the figure in the shadows is their love interest or a monster. The film subverts traditional exorcism narratives by using horror to examine modern homophobia and religious trauma rather than justify it.

Sundance Success and Distribution

The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2026 and sparked a bidding war among distributors. Neon acquired the film for A$7.1 million, securing both Australian and international rights. The distributor is releasing the film in the US on June 19, one day after its Australian premiere on June 18. The film also screened at the Sydney Film Festival this month to positive audience response.

Australian Horror’s Growing Profile

Leviticus joins a wave of Australian horror films gaining international recognition. The production comes from Causeway Films, the studio behind acclaimed titles like Talk to Me and The Babadook. Chiarella emphasizes that horror’s universal appeal positions Australian filmmakers to tell stories that resonate globally while addressing local social issues.

Final Thoughts

Leviticus proves Australian horror can command major international investment and distribution. With a A$7.1M deal and dual releases across Australia and the US, the film positions Chiarella as a significant emerging voice in the genre.

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