Leviticus (englische OV) // 40. Fantasy Filmfest // Deutschlandpremiere // Eröffnungsfilm

Leviticus

An empty swimming pool at night; a girl hears a strange noise in the shower, follows it—and suddenly we’re right in the middle of a classic horror setting! “HEATED RIVALRY meets IT FOLLOWS,” is how IndieWire describes it, and the consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is clear: With a 93% rating, LEVITICUS is one of the most innovative and, above all, creepiest horror films of the year, on par with BACKROOMS and OBSESSION. Inspired by CAT PEOPLE and the psychological horror of Val Lewton, the film captivates not only with its precisely timed shock moments—which catch even the most hardened fans off guard—but also with its art of storytelling, taking us to the very origins of our nightmares. 

In the sweltering heat of a small Australian town, two teenagers are haunted by a supernatural horror. The monster takes on the form of the other. Every encounter can become a deadly trap. Ryan and Naim—who has just moved into the strictly religious community—never know who is standing before them. Is it their friend or the demon? No place is safe anymore. – The fear of the person you desire most, and the accompanying sense of hopelessness: Director Adrian Chiarella pushes the premise and suspense to their absolute limit. The intense soundtrack and the melancholic imagery captured by cinematographer Tyson Perkins bring the characters’ suffering painfully close.

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An empty swimming pool at night; a girl hears a strange noise coming from the shower, follows it—and suddenly, we find ourselves right in the middle of a classic horror setting! “HEATED RIVALRY meets IT FOLLOWS,” describes IndieWire, while Rotten Tomatoes is equally enthusiastic: With a score of 93%, LEVITICUS is one of the most innovative and, above all, most terrifying horror films of the year, in the same vein as BACKROOMS and OBSESSION. Not only does the film deliver precisely timed shocks that can catch even seasoned horror fans off guard, but its inspired storytelling also impresses. Drawing on *Cat People* and the psychological horror of Val Lewton, the film takes us back to the origins of our nightmares.

In the sweltering heat of a small Australian town, two teenagers are haunted by a supernatural horror. The creature takes on the form of each of them in turn. Every encounter could become a deadly trap. Ryan and Naim, who has just moved to the strictly religious community, can never be sure who is standing before them. Is it their friend or the demon? Nowhere is safe. – The fear of the person you desire most, and the sense of helplessness that comes with it: director Adrian Chiarella pushes the premise and tension to perfection. The hard-hitting sound design and the melancholic images by cinematographer Tyson Perkins bring the characters’ suffering viscerally close.

Film: Leviticus (Australia 2026)
Director: Adrian Chiarella
Cast: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Tyallah Bullock, Ewen Leslie
Screenplay: Adrian Chiarella
Runtime: 88 min
Language version: English original version

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