Neon's supernatural horror film Leviticus premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to widespread acclaim. The production currently holds a 95% Tomatometer rating, the highest for any movie released this year.

The 95% Tomatometer score from Sundance

Neon's Leviticus has emerged as a critical powerhouse following its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival . According to the report, the film currently boasts a 95% Tomatometer score, which secures its position as the highest-rated movie of the year thus far. this early critical consensus suggests that the film transcends typical genre tropes to offer something more substantial to the audience.

The high approval rating is not merely a result of shock value but is attributed to the film's emotional depth. Early reviews have praised the production for creating a terrifying atmosphere that does not sacrifice character development for the sake of scares.

Conversion therapy and the malevolent entity of desire

The narrative of Leviticus blends supernatural horror with a queer romance, centering on two star-crossed lovers. As the report says, the plot involves a malevolent entity that manifests as the deepest desires of its victims. This supernatural framework serves as a vehicle to explore the trauma of conversion therapy and the persistence of homophobia.

By grounding its scares in real-world social issues, Leviticus aligns itself with a growing trend of "elevated horror" where the monster is often a metaphor for societal or psychological pain. This approach allows the film to be both a terrifying experience and a thought-provoking commentary on LGBTQ+ struggles, mirroring the success of previous prestige genre titles that used horror to explore grief or systemic trauma.

A seven-figure deal and the ghost of Obsession's success

Neon demonstrated significant financial confidence in Leviticus by securing worldwide distribution rights through a seven-figure deal. This aggressive acquisition mirrors the strategy Neon used with Obsession, another horror title that benefited from massive pre-release momentum and critical buzz.

The marketing for Leviticus has already leaned heavily into social media, with trailers and fan edits garnering millions of views. This viral engagement is a key metric for Neon, as the studio aims to replicate the box office triumph seen with Obsession earlier this year by converting online hype into theater attendance.

Adrian Chiarella's debut and the Wasikowska-led ensemble

The film marks the feature-length directorial debut of Adrian Chiarella. Chiarella has assembled a diverse cast led by Mia Wasikowska, alongside Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Ewen Leslie, Nicholas Hope, Jeremy Blewitt, Davida McKenzie, and Edwina Wren.

Early feedback has specifically highlighted the chemistry between the leads , with particular praise directed toward the performances of Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen. This focus on emotional depth and acting caliber is what separates Leviticus from conventional jump-scare cinema, positioning it as a character study as much as a horror film.

The uncertainty of translating Sundance buzz into June 19 box office gold

While the critical reception is stellar, several questions remain regarding the commercial trajectory of Leviticus leading up to its June 19 release. It remains unclear whether the "millions of views" on social media will translate into ticket sales for a film that tackles heavy themes like conversion therapy, which may alienate some segments of the mainstream horror audience.

Furthermore, the report suggests Leviticus could be a major contender in the awards season , but it does not specify which categories or awards the film is targeting. Whether a supernatural horror film can break through the traditional barriers of the Academy Awards or the Golden Globes remains a point of speculation, especially given the historically difficult path for genre films to secure top-tier nominations.