Leviticus is directed by Adrian Chiarella and presents itself as a horror film, although it takes well over a third of its runtime before delivering its first genuinely scary or tense sequence. Instead, the film spends most of its time revisiting conversion therapy, particularly the kind of practices associated with the 1990s. The story treats the subject as though it remains as prevalent as it once was, while largely ignoring how much societal acceptance has changed. Perhaps the film's setting in small-town Australia is intended to explain some of that disconnect, but the screenplay never does enough to establish that context. It's also difficult to ignore the film's apparent disdain of organized religion, which might alienate certain moviegoers. There is character development throughout, but several scenes feel unnecessary and don't contribute much to the overall plot.
Talk to Me supporting actor, Joe Bird delivers a solid performance as the film's central character, providing the emotional grounding the story needs. He carries many of the quieter scenes effectively and makes the character's struggles believable even when the screenplay becomes heavy-handed. The direction also deserves credit for recognizing where the film's strongest performance lies, frequently keeping the camera focused on Bird rather than allowing the weaker elements of the cast to dominate.
Stacy Clausen unfortunately goes too far in the other direction, delivering an overly theatrical performance that often feels more like something you'd find in a Netflix original than a grounded horror drama. The contrast between his performance and Bird's more restrained work is noticeable, and it occasionally takes the audience out of the film. Mia Wasikowska, known for Alice in Wonderland and The Devil All the Time, has a smaller role but makes a memorable impression whenever she appears. She brings the kind of natural screen presence that makes you wish the film had found more for her to do.
Overall, Leviticus is an unusual horror film that spends far more time making its social commentary than actually creating horror. The repeated emphasis on the characters of their orientation hurts the film. The writer seems determined to remind the audience rather than simply allowing the characters to exist naturally. That said, the film is decently shot, has some solid character development, and features a strong central performance from Joe Bird. It isn't particularly frightening, and the screenplay has plenty of unnecessary material, but there is enough technical competence and acting talent here to make it worthwhile. Result: B
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