Directed by: Adrian Chiarella
Written by: Adrian Chiarella
Starring: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Mia Wasikowska
Leviticus follows two teenage boys, Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), living in an isolated, conservative town as they must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire the most – each other. Leviticus premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January and has finally been released in the UK after months of festival buzz.
As a debut feature film from writer/director Adrian Chiarella, the film is based on his own experiences of homophobia as a teenager. The horror films he turned to as a form of escapism have clearly influenced the premise of Leviticus. In that respect, the piece feels incredibly personal, and the core ideas it presents are undoubtedly intriguing despite how derivative it feels of previous titles such as It Follows (2014). While it may wear its influences on its sleeve, it’s a confident debut that is both tragic and romantic, blending both the horror and tenderness of the central relationship between Naim and Ryan. Some viewers may be disappointed by the lack of traditional horror elements; however, the film features several effective jump scares that are sure to get under audiences’ skin.
The film runs a relatively brisk 88 minutes, but at times it feels like a short film stretched into a feature because of a lack of characterisation. Adrian Chiarella’s script doesn’t lay enough groundwork to fully invest the audience in Naim and Ryan’s individual struggles, despite their compelling chemistry. The themes of queer isolation and self-discovery are incredibly evocative; however, the coming-of-age aspects sadly fail to resonate as the audience never spends enough time with each character. That said, one of the most surprising elements is its comedic charm. Despite the grim subject matter, the script strikes a careful balance between its comedy and dramatic tension, ensuring neither feels jarring or out of place.
While the film isn’t particularly scary in a traditional sense, writer/director Adrian Chiarella really knows how to build tension through the visceral outbursts of violence. Tyson Perkins, the film’s cinematographer, does a fantastic job framing each scene, balancing expansive wide shots with intimate close-ups during the more personal moments between Naim and Ryan. The shift to handheld while tracking Naim in an intense sequence is incredibly dynamic and may keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From a technical standpoint, it may encourage audiences to anticipate Adrian Chiarella’s future work as an indie filmmaker, as this is a terrific showcase of what he can accomplish in-camera. The camera rarely shies away from the entity’s violence, yet it never feels gratuitously gnarly.
Perhaps the film’s greatest strength lies in the central performances by Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, who portray Naim and Ryan, respectively. They both convey the sheer struggle and tenderness that grows between them as this entity takes hold of their desire. The entity is a manifestation of their guilt and one of the most interesting ideas the film presents. Their chemistry is undoubtedly moving, and the narrative wouldn’t have worked as well without their compelling relationship. The supporting players are also terrific, in particular Mia Wasikowska as Naim’s mother, Arlene. She conveys the self-righteous and cruel portrayal of a mother who thinks she’s doing what’s right for her son, yet her bigoted personality torments his life and relationship with Ryan.
It’s easy to see why Leviticus has generated festival buzz since January. Adrian Chiarella’s assured debut feature is both personal and visceral in its depiction of queerness and horror. While it may feel somewhat derivative of the horror films that came before it, Leviticus boasts an incredibly intriguing premise and two utterly mesmerising turns from Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen.