Adrian Chiarella

Adrian Chiarella is an Australian film director, screenwriter, and editor known for his feature debut Leviticus, a queer psychological horror that premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Neon for international release. His work blends coming-of-age romance with supernatural terror, earning comparisons to modern horror classics like It Follows and The Witch. Chiarella's films often center LGBTQ+ protagonists and explore social commentary through horror. He is a graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and is represented by WME and Cameron's Management.[edit]

Chiarella grew up in Australia and developed an early interest in filmmaking. He began his career in film editing and pre-visualization, working on Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia around 2008. This experience gave him a foundation in large-scale production. He later attended the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, where he honed his skills as a writer-director. His early short films Touch (2014) and Black Lips (2018) explored queer and horror themes, establishing his signature voice. The breakthrough came in 2021 when his short Dwarf Planet was selected for the 68th Sydney Film Festival, drawing critical attention and positioning him as a rising talent in Australian cinema.[edit]

Chiarella's first major success came in 2025 when he wrote and directed the “Walking Gambit” episode of the SBS anthology series Erotic Stories, which won an AWGIE Award from the Australian Writers' Guild. The following year marked his feature debut: Leviticus premiered in the Midnight section at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, a showcase known for launching cult horror films. The film follows two teenage boys who must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other. It was inspired by It Follows and The Witch. Neon acquired international rights and released it theatrically on June 19, 2026. The New York Times called it an “Australian chiller” where a conversion therapy ritual unleashes shape-shifting ghouls.[edit]

Chiarella is emerging as a distinctive voice in queer horror cinema. His work combines psychological terror with social commentary, often centering LGBTQ+ protagonists. Critics describe his style as “disturbing in many senses of the word,” drawing comparisons to It Follows and The Witch. As a relatively new filmmaker with one feature release, he has not yet developed a large fandom or established fan culture. His social media presence is modest, with an Instagram account (@adrianchiarella) that shares updates on his projects. There are no documented magazine covers or major media profiles.[edit]

Adrian Chiarella commands a focused, industry-centric spotlight rather than global saturation. While his debut feature has ignited critical conversation within horror circles, he currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any scope-based ranking list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his profile in August 2026 and determined that he does not yet occupy a published position on the world's most famous individuals chart. Consequently, there is no numeric rank to cite for his standing among celebrities or directors. His audience remains a collection of festival attendees, critics, and genre enthusiasts who follow his work through trade publications and Q&A sessions rather than a mass movement. Because no formalized group has emerged around his persona, his fanbase has no formal name. There are no documented clubs, hashtags, or organized campaigns bearing his specific branding, reflecting his status as an emerging filmmaker whose recognition stems from the singular impact of his film rather than a celebrity cult.[edit]

Chiarella began his career behind the camera, editing pre-visualization sequences for Baz Luhrmann's major Hollywood production Australia before transitioning to directing. His feature debut, Leviticus, draws direct inspiration from the psychological terror found in It Follows and The Witch. The film's narrative centers on a conversion therapy ritual that unleashes shape-shifting ghouls upon an Australian bush town. This story subverts the traditional "final boy" trope by allowing LGBTQ+ protagonists to find love despite supernatural threats born from biblical sins. Critics have noted how this thematic approach bridges queer coming-of-age romance with elevated horror, creating a unique cultural moment during its premiere. The film screened in the Midnight section at Sundance, a slot historically known for launching cult classics. Before his feature debut, Chiarella's short film Dwarf Planet was selected for the 68th Sydney Film Festival in 2021. He is represented by both WME and Cameron's Management, navigating his rise in the independent cinema space with strategic guidance.

A widely retold moment in the film's lore involves its opening sequence, described in reviews as beginning with an archetypal horror image: a "little death that begets a big one." This scene sets the tone for the film's exploration of religious trauma and the metaphor of homophobia as an "inescapable malediction." Industry observers marked a major milestone when Chiarella signed with Anonymous Content for representation, beating out several other companies. This business move signaled his transition from an editor and short-form director to a recognized feature filmmaker. While no organized fan rituals exist yet, the film's title has become a central cultural touchstone for discussions about private lust and public fear within LGBTQ+ horror circles.[edit]

No public information is available about Chiarella's parents, siblings, or children. He keeps his family life private, and no details have been shared in interviews or media reports. His exact birth date and birthplace are not publicly documented.[edit]

No public information is available about Chiarella's romantic relationships or dating history. He maintains a private personal life, and no credible sources have reported on any partners past or present. As of 2026, his relationship status is not publicly disclosed.[edit]

As of 2026, Adrian Chiarella carries no published net-worth total, a silence typical for an emerging independent filmmaker with a single feature release to his name. The iFANN Editorial Team's research points to income streams derived strictly from directing and screenwriting fees, with Leviticus standing as his highest-profile payday to date. No major endorsement deals, business ventures, or real estate holdings appear in public records. He navigates this early career phase under the representation of WME and Cameron's Management.[edit]