The film Leviticus, directed by Adrian Chiarella, will be released in cinemas on October 7. Chiarella, a 45-year-old editor, screenwriter, and director born in Sydney to an Italian father and a Chinese mother, previously gained recognition through short films appreciated by the Australian gay movement. The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, a well-known event in the independent film world that showcases new and emerging talent. Leviticus is based on the third book of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which deals with laws and teachings about purity and impurity, including sexual matters. The story follows two teenagers, Naim and Ryan, who develop a secret romantic relationship in an industrial town. Their relationship begins during a game of male wrestling, which turns into a romantic encounter. However, Naim's jealousy arises when he discovers Ryan's infidelity with the pastor's pimples, a term used here to describe a person with acne. Naim then betrays himself before a fanatically religious community, leading to a coming out that is not accepted. The pastor prescribes a ritual of deliverance intended to free Ryan from his impure desires, involving conversion therapy, which is depicted as a metaphor for internalized homophobia, or the negative feelings some LGBTQ+ individuals may have about their own identity. The film features Stacy Clausen, a 21-year-old rising star who appeared in "The Girl and the Sea" (2023) and "Trash (Predatory Nature)" (2026), both available on Netflix. She will also be seen in "The Mosquito Bowl," set to release on Netflix on November 25. The film stars Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen and is set in Australia, with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. Chiarella's Leviticus explores themes of identity, religion, and societal judgment through the lens of a young, same-sex relationship. The film's setting in an industrial town adds to the sense of isolation and pressure faced by the characters. It is expected to spark discussions about the impact of religious beliefs on personal relationships and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in conservative communities.