Evil is at most horrendous when it believes it is doing good. Leviticus is a tantalizing and encapsulating view on that notion. Although the most horrific part of this horror film is betrayal, how do you handle betrayal? How do you cope with betrayal and how do you trust somebody after a betrayal? The film follows the lives of Naim and Ryan. Two gay teens who have discovered that they are in love. A relationship that cannot be accepted in their church and in Naim’s house. Once Naim discovers a betrayal it catapults the action, which leads to who to trust, maybe you can’t trust anyone-including yourself. When the anxiety in the film kicks in it is one of the best tragic horror films of 2026. 

The movie premiered in 2026 Sundance film festival with positive reviews and received distribution from Neon. There’s a distinct industrial aesthetic to this. A rough urban surrounding that is not vibrant nor flourish. It appears all are struggling to live. The church provides hope and then sends in the betrayal. There’s a thing about frogs in this metaphorically. Frogs being eaten and dissected in science class. In the bible, in the book of Leviticus frogs were part of the plague on Egypt and also regarded as unclean. A clever insertion when discussing the non-acceptance of gay in a church or home. 

There’s no film score, no melody or instruments at play. A wise decision. It serves the film well without having it by enhancing the isolation. It also relies heavily on the characters and that is its greatest asset. Rich developed characters with clear motives even if you trust them. The cinematography will be under appreciated, the film gives off a sense of realism that makes it work. Overall it at times feels like a documentary and we are seeing it as happens-very effective. 

“Leviticus” doesn’t show all the horror, it wants the audience to fill the unseen but that is where it hurts a little, show us the horror. There’s also one jump scare that definitely didn’t need to be in it. It’s not that kind of film- and is sad that it felt like it needed it. This film wonderfully executes the slow burning.  

 This is a film that stirs and slowly cooks, it doesn’t spoon feed you exposition which is refreshing. Each turn and beat is true. It’s also tremendously well-edited, and has the correct flow and pace and an ending that many find come to different conclusions to. 

“Levitucs” works best when it is not trying, and at it worst when it is. It is a good horror film, teetering on great. But the whole reliance of the audience to fill in the blanks on the horror is a double-edged sword. It needs to be played right. “Leviticus” is just enough to be captivating. But the mot interesting part of the film is, primarily it is not a horror film, it is a love story, a tragic love story that tells us to stay your authentic self and stay with the one you love it best to leave, because home is killing you.

8.5/10