Leviticus (film)

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 28 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Merging an emotionally-involving queer relationship with its clever monster concept, Leviticus executes its intriguing hook with eerie aplomb."^[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 83 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".^[12]

Benjamin Lee of the Guardian wrote that Leviticus is “a haunting and innovative horror film,” praising its unsettling blend of genre thrills and tender romance, noting the “genuine chemistry between leads Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen” that helps balance its emotional stakes and supernatural dread.^[13] Marshall Shaffer of Slant Magazine similarly described the film as “at times intensely creepy” yet also “a potent and poignant teen romance,” emphasizing how the performances of Bird and Clausen fuel both the film’s emotional depth and its escalating horror.^[14]

Richard Lawson of the Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film “takes a solemn, eerie look at homophobia and repression,” grounding its allegorical terror in the relationship between its two central characters.^[15] Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting highlighted the cast’s contributions, writing that Leviticus, "owes much of its success to the tremendous performances by its two leads. Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen deftly navigate all the emotional complexities of coming-of-age in a repressed setting that hits too close to home for any reprieve. While the tenderness beneath Ryan’s machismo endears, it’s Naim’s bone-deep fear and melancholy that’s as heartbreaking as it is compelling.^[16]

Alan French of FandomWire singled out Joe Bird’s work more directly, noting that, "Bird and Clausen are both excellent in the movie," further adding, "Bird, who first popped in Talk to Me, is particularly impressive. Bird’s performance alone is worth watching, and there are some genuinely incredible moments exploring life in a fundamentalist religious movement.^[17]

• Leviticus at IMDb