PARIS, January 25, 2026 — A haunting new thriller, “Leviticus,” premiering at Sundance, explores the terrifying consequences of forbidden love and religious extremism, offering a chilling look at queer experience in a hostile environment.
A Descent into Darkness: New Films Explore Desire, Faith, and the Unsettling
The Sundance Film Festival is serving up a potent mix of horror, satire, and unsettling drama, with several films pushing boundaries and sparking conversation.
- “Leviticus” blends horror and romance in a small Australian town, focusing on the persecution of a same-sex couple.
- Casper Kelly’s “Boyfriend” delivers a darkly comedic satire of children’s television, with a sinister undercurrent.
- “Mom, I’m Alien Pregnant” is a bizarre and provocative comedy exploring motherhood and unconventional encounters.
In “Leviticus,” writer/director Adrian Chiarella crafts a tense atmosphere around Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), two young men whose passionate connection unfolds in the shadow of a deeply religious Australian town. Their clandestine meetings in an abandoned mill are charged with both desire and danger, as they navigate a society that condemns their love. When Naim discovers Ryan’s infidelity with the pastor’s son, a chain of events is set in motion that unleashes a terrifying curse upon the community.
What happens when a healer, called in to “pray the homosexuals away,” becomes the vessel for a malevolent force? The film draws parallels to “It Follows,” with an unseen presence relentlessly pursuing the afflicted, visible only to its target. Chiarella utilizes stark visual framing—often isolating characters within vast negative space—to emphasize the loneliness and vulnerability of Naim and Ryan.
While the film’s premise is compelling, the malevolent presence itself can feel somewhat one-dimensional. The characters’ decisions, driven by intense hormones and desperation, occasionally strain credulity. Mia Wasikowska delivers a predictably apathetic performance as Naim’s mother, leaving viewers wanting a more nuanced portrayal. Despite these shortcomings, the film culminates in a powerfully moving and devastating finale, echoing the emotional resonance of Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain.”
Satire and Sinister Smiles: “Boyfriend” Deconstructs Childhood Innocence
Casper Kelly’s “Boyfriend” takes a decidedly different tack, offering a darkly satirical take on children’s television. Set in the world of “It’s Buddy,” a “Barney & Friends”-esque show from the late 1990s, the film initially presents a saccharine-sweet facade. Keegan-Michael Key voices Buddy, a cheerful orange unicorn who leads a group of children in lessons about sharing and caring. But beneath the colorful exterior lurks a disturbing undercurrent of menace.
Kelly’s 95-minute film, reminiscent of his Adult Swim work “Too Many Cooks,” meticulously recreates the aesthetic of children’s programming, complete with random side characters—a nurse, a postman, a giant pink bunny—and talking objects. As the film progresses, unsettling details emerge: the child actors never return home, and their bright exteriors begin to fade as they realize Buddy’s true nature. A cameo from Michael Shannon adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
However, “Boyfriend” loses momentum when it shifts focus to a separate plot involving troubled parents Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace. This detour into paranormal mystery feels tonally jarring and emotionally unconvincing. The film recovers somewhat with references to “Night of the Hunter” and “The Matrix Reloaded,” but ultimately falls short of its initial promise, remaining a darkly amusing but ultimately flawed experiment.
Alien Encounters and Motherhood: “Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant” Provokes and Puzzles
Perhaps the most bizarre offering of the festival is “Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant,” a New Zealand-born comedy that tackles themes of motherhood and unconventional reproduction. The film centers on Mary (Arlo Green), a loner who finds herself pregnant after a rather unusual encounter with Boo (Jackie Van Beek), the son of a woman abducted by aliens—and possessing an alien penis complete with tentacles.
Directed by THUNDERLIPS (Jordan Dodson and Sean Wallace), the film doesn’t shy away from shocking imagery and provocative humor. It explores the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, while also advocating for a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. However, the film’s attempt to find humor in a situation where the protagonist is unable to terminate her pregnancy feels somewhat problematic. The film also raises questions about the passive role of fathers in pregnancy, highlighting Boo’s reluctance to support Mary.
The film’s success hinges on the committed performances of its cast, who navigate the absurd premise with a dry wit. However, the underdeveloped character of Boo’s mother—whose own alien abduction experience remains largely unexplored—feels like a missed opportunity. Ultimately, “Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant” is a slim but energetic film that provokes thought and elicits a range of reactions.
