Leviticus

Speaker 10:00

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Glen Weldon· Host0:18

[upbeat music] You should go see the new indie horror film Leviticus. It's both a queer coming-of-age romance and a blistering indictment of gay conversion therapy. Mostly, though, it is a seriously creepy movie about a demonic entity that knows exactly how to get to you. I mean, I think it's pretty terrific, but I'm curious to hear what the rest of the panel thinks. I'm Glen Weldon. Joining me today on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour is film and culture critic, Kate Young. Hey, Kate.

Kate Young· Guest0:46

Thanks for having me.

Glen Weldon· Host0:48

Also with us is freelance music and culture journalist, Rhianna Cruz. Hey, Rhianna.

Riana Cruz· Guest0:51

Hey, Glen. Happy to be here.

Glen Weldon· Host0:53

Hey, let's get to it. Leviticus is set in a small Australian backwater where teenage Name and his mother belong to a religious community. Name is played by Joe Bird, who you might remember from Talk To Me. Stacy Clausen plays his friend, Ryan. They start having feelings for each other, which touches off a chain of increasingly violent events. Name is stalked by a threatening presence that takes Ryan's form, while Ryan keeps getting attacked by something that pretends to be Name. Leviticus is in theaters now. Rhianna, kick us off. What'd you think?

Riana Cruz· Guest1:21

Leviticus feels like the type of gay movie that I would fixate on in high school. It's