“Chilling” isn’t usually the first word you’d use to describe someone, but it was the first word that came to mind after my introduction to Stacy Clausen.
Sinking into one of the Ritz Cinema’s iconic red velvet seats, I was ready to immerse myself in Australia’s latest horror sensation – the film on the lips of virtually every critic and cinephile: Leviticus. Written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, the film presents itself as horror on the surface, but at its core, it’s a coming-of-age story. Even before its global release, Chiarella invited audiences to create edits, memes and reaction videos, encouraging participation from the outset. At first, that approach surprised me – but by the time the credits rolled, it made perfect sense.
For the horror in Leviticus to land, the romance has to feel believable – and it does. Clausen and Joe Bird share a chemistry – and a level of trust, a central theme throughout the film – that is utterly palpable. It’s precisely why the film has resonated so deeply with audiences and become such a box-office success. As an actor, Clausen navigates terror, love and grief simultaneously, moving between those emotional extremes in a performance that feels remarkably assured. It’s not often you witness that kind of range, let alone from a 21-year-old actor. Which is exactly why I left the cinema with full-body chills, watching Clausen’s character Ryan, switch between opposing emotional states with the flick of a switch. It was magnetic.
Clausen made his screen debut in 2019 with an appearance in the American series Preacher, which somehow still feels like yesterday. After several television roles, he made his Netflix film debut in 2023’s True Spirit, alongside RUSSH digital cover star Teagan Croft. We’ve already seen what he can do on screen, but here, we wanted to get to know Clausen through the lens of the thing that reveals the most about a person – their film taste. After all, you can tell a surprising amount about someone by their favourite cinema snack, the director they admire most, or the film they always choose for a long-haul flight. As for what’s next for? We’ll be following closely – because if Leviticus is any indication, it feels like only a matter of time before we see him lighting up the big screen once again.
Below, we speak with Stacy Clausen on his favourite film, last film he watched, and his favourite cinema.
What was the last film you watched?
Backrooms.
What is your favourite film of all time?
Good Will Hunting.
What is the genre you gravitate the most to?
Thriller.
What film changed your life?
Prisoners.
What is a literary character you identify most with?
Cody Maverick from Surf’s Up.
Who is your favourite director?
Yorgos Lanthimos.
Which book would you love to see become adapted on-screen?
Cherub Series by Robert Muchamore.
Which is your favourite cinema?
Sun Theatre in Yarraville, Melbourne.
If you could watch a film for the first time again, which one would it
be?
Get Out.
What movie scene has stuck with you?
The ‘coin flip’ scene in No Country for Old Men.
Do you have a favourite actor?
Heath Ledger.
Do you have a favourite cinema snack?
Popcorn.
What is a line from a movie you always quote?
“WHAT’S IN THE BOOOOOOXXX” – Se7en
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