Leviticus (Movie Review)

I love movies that tackle topics that have a really important message that the world really needs to hear. One thing the world needs to hear is how to be more accepting. There is a massive divide, and there are still many communities that go through so much because of hate. Horror films are particularly more popular among marginalized groups for various reasons. Mostly, because they are people who have been surviving real-life horrors their entire lives. Horror movies can share these experiences with the audience and symbolize what it must be like. It is Pride Month, and it is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Perfect timing for a horror film that represents the real-life fears that this community experiences. Leviticus, directed by Adrian Chiarella, is a movie about two teenage boys that must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most, which is each other. A horror film that really represents the fear other groups put on them. A fear that digs into their skin and can feel so paralyzing. Homophobia and religious oppression being the true villains of the movie, the entity that they are fighting is just a personified representation of that hate. A harsh reality look at “conversion therapy” and having repressed desire. A balance of love and fear that grows more and more as the runtime continues. It amazes me to know that this is Adrian’s directorial debut. Beautifully capturing the town they live in, the people in that town, and their the boy’s love in such a way that it feels intoxicating. A cage in a way. It does show that love is worth going after, no matter the fear. As long as they are not alone and they are together, they will be okay.

The two talented actors, Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, really get you in a chokehold with their story. You immediately see their playful connection in the beginning of the film, to a true love story between them as the story goes. A love that is felt in every scene they share. Also expressing the huge amount of fear they have about the situation they find themselves in. I, who am someone who is straight, can still connect with these characters, but not as much as someone who has felt the same fear they do. It is a true tragedy that there are still many people who are close-minded and judge others on how they live their lives. This love story is absolutely beautiful and one of the best romance movies I’ve seen in a long time. It has a perfect balance of horror and love. Something that has not been seen much in the genre. It is always really cool to see Joe Bird in another horror film since Talk to Me. Following his character in this crazy, messed-up journey had my jaw on the ground. You can always feel what he was feeling. A great job by the direction from the director and the execution of the actor. Stacy Clausen was the perfect co-lead, as he performed backflips with his acting capabilities. Both actors expressed what true love and what true horror looked like. The concept of them being in love while being haunted by an entity that looks like the person you love is brilliant. It pushed them to extreme lengths with their talents to show love and being dangerous. There was never a doubt in my mind that these characters didn’t love each other. The other cast members also did a great job because I absolutely hated them. They are the most insufferable people you would come across that use their own way of life to oppress others. Forcing others to practice the life they want. This world felt to real.

The story is complex and simple enough to follow. It has this very creative way to tell a story that is both clever and important. The love story works very well. Their love being used as the weapon to fear each other was heartbreaking. The one thing you want to run towards is the same thing that makes you scared and want to run away from. Both characters are seen as loving and threatening, and you never knew when it would flip on you. There are also really effective jump scares in this movie. Never over the top and not warranted. Leviticus is truly one of the scariest movies of the year. There are moments that are even filled with some gory scenes that had me squinting at the screen as I cringed with discomfort. The violence in the movie is brutal. The entity in the perspective of others is invisible, and they played with some really great elements around it. Nothing is scarier than dealing with a problem that is invisible to others. Not seen by the general public. A battle that you are facing alone. Great storytelling at every corner; the movie has so many layers. A perfect movie that makes you leave the theater and just start talking about it. The symbolism, the love, the scares, performances, and everything else that makes this movie great. It brings up conversations that are important and highlights so much more than just a scary movie. I honestly think that so many people will feel seen because of this movie. That they will be able to relate to it on a very personal level. This movie is powerful in so many ways that I can’t even measure.

Overall, Leviticus is a movie that is groundbreaking. When we say that we want more original stories, this is what we mean. A movie that shares something new and fresh. More movies like this should be made, and hopefully, we will see more. The performances of Bird and Clausen are one to be remembered. I will not spoil the ending, but I also just want to say that I loved the way they ended this story. They could have gone into many other directions, but I’m really happy with the direction they ended up with. This will make every horror fan happy as well, as it brings the horrors to life. We have some great moments of true terror, gore, and scares. This movie had me on a constant anxiety attack. It had me guessing when something bad was going to happen. It really puts you into the shoes of the character who are constantly on edge and has to look over their shoulders. It makes me happy that this movie exists. It is a film that I think will easily become a cult classic and be revisited over and over again. There is so much to deep dive into the story and the symbolism. More importantly, it will help people feel less alone and build resilience to the fear that awful people put on them. Love is love, and you should not have fear or shame about who you love. Please make sure to check out this amazing movie.

Happy Pride Month!

Rating: 93/100