Neon has acquired the rights to 'Leviticus,' a horror film about queer conversion therapy that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The deal, valued in the seven-figure range, marks one of the first major sales at this year's event. Directed by Adrian Chiarella in his feature debut, the film has drawn strong critical praise for its innovative take on trauma and queer themes.
The Sundance Film Festival, held annually in Park City, Utah, kicked off with buzz around several indie projects, but 'Leviticus' quickly emerged as a standout in the midnight section. Written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, the film follows two star-crossed teenage boys who must escape a violent entity that manifests as the person they desire most—each other. The cast includes Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, and Ewen Leslie.
Neon, known for distributing Oscar winners like 'Parasite' and 'Anora,' is continuing its tradition of snapping up high-profile horror titles from Sundance. Sources indicate the acquisition deal is nearing completion, with a sales price in the seven-figure range. WME Independent is handling the rights sales.
Critics have lauded the film's fresh approach to horror subgenres. The Guardian noted, “In many increasingly overcrowded fields – trauma horror, curse horror, gay horror, Sundance horror – ‘Leviticus’ stands tall.” IndieWire drew comparisons to 'Heated Rivalry' and 'It Follows,' calling it "the hybrid we didn’t know we wanted."
This sale comes amid a cautious market at the 2026 festival, where indie box office struggles have made buyers more selective. While other titles like Olivia Wilde’s 'The Invite' and 'Wicker' attract interest, many Sundance hits fail to resonate beyond festival crowds. Neon's move signals renewed optimism for genre films tackling social issues like conversion therapy.