Home » Short film » Leviticus 20:13 (2023): A Harrowing Tale of Trauma, Vengeance, and Redemption
Leviticus 20:13 is not for the faint of heart. Paco Torres has crafted a brutally raw and emotional narrative that centers around the lifelong consequences of abuse, specifically sexual abuse inflicted by priests. From the very beginning, the film immerses the audience in Damián’s world—a world of deep-seated pain, alcoholism, and unresolved trauma. What sets the film apart is its refusal to shy away from the darkness. There are no moments of light, no breaks from the suffocating weight of Damián’s burden. The film’s atmosphere is heavy with tension and dread, creating a relentless feeling of unease that perfectly mirrors Damián’s internal struggle.
Damián is not your typical hero, nor is he a villain. Torres paints him as a man trapped by his own trauma, someone who is both sympathetic and terrifying. His descent into revenge is fueled by years of hurt, anger, and frustration at the lack of justice. He is a product of a system that has failed him—a system that protected his abusers while leaving him to pick up the shattered pieces of his life. His revenge is not glorious; it is messy, violent, and horrifying, leaving viewers questioning their own perceptions of right and wrong. Torres skillfully portrays this moral ambiguity, pushing the audience to empathize with a character who is both a victim and a perpetrator.
Visually, Leviticus 20:13 is stunning in its starkness. The film’s cinematography reflects the grim reality of Damián’s world. The city’s nightlife is portrayed in dark, shadowy tones, with neon lights from gay-friendly venues providing a stark contrast to the bloodshed that unfolds. The violence is unflinching—Torres does not hold back in showing the brutal consequences of Damián’s actions. This is not violence for the sake of violence; it is a necessary part of the story, serving to illustrate the depth of Damián’s pain and the extent to which he is willing to go to reclaim his sense of power.
At its core, Leviticus 20:13 is a film about the injustice that so many survivors of abuse face. The church, which should be a place of safety and moral guidance, becomes an institution that covers up heinous crimes, leaving survivors like Damián with no sense of closure or justice. Paco Torres’ decision to focus on the emotional aftermath of this abuse, rather than the abuse itself, gives the film a unique and powerful perspective. The short film forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable reality that for many survivors, justice is an unattainable goal, and the wounds left by abuse never fully heal.
