Even as queer characters become more common in modern media, asexual characters remain quite rare. While television has started to include a few, such as O from Sex Education and Todd Chavez from Bojack Horseman, they are difficult to find in movies. In the horror genre, they are rarer still. However, in 2022, things changed with Something in the Dirt.
The Rarity of Asexual Characters in Horror Cinema
As of the writing of this article, there is only one canonically asexual character in horror cinema: Levi from Something in the Dirt (2022).
Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, Something in the Dirt follows new neighbors Levi and John as they attempt to film a documentary about the paranormal activity they witness in their apartment building. Things grow stranger from there, spiraling into a conspiracy theory involving Fibonacci numbers, the city’s layout, and geocaching.
Filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown, Something in the Dirt features a stripped-down, minimalist production that only enhances the idea of two ordinary people making a documentary about something extraordinary. Much closer to I Saw the TV Glow rather than Friday the 13th, it’s not straightforward horror, often pivoting to sci-fi and comedy. However, there is a growing sense of unease throughout the movie as Levi and John learn more about each other and the phenomena following them, culminating in an ending that few will see coming and will be left thinking about long after the credits roll. While the movie offers few concrete answers about what’s happening, the answers aren’t really the point. It’s more about the fun puzzle of the journey than the clear picture of the destination.
How Levi’s Asexuality Is Portrayed with Authenticity
The natural chemistry between the movie’s directors/lead actors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead reflects their long-standing friendship, grounding the film in reality despite the increasingly bizarre events. This chemistry adds much-needed humanity to both of their characters. For instance, John, played by Moorehead, could have easily become a caricature as both a gay divorcee and an evangelical Christian. But he doesn’t, and John emerges simply as a character caught up in a series of strange events.
Then there’s Levi, brilliantly brought to life by Benson.
My favorite representation in media always involves two key elements. First, a character’s identity must be clearly stated or shown in canon. Second, that character must be allowed to exist as a fully developed person outside of those characteristics. To my delight, both of these elements are present in Levi.
Throughout Something in the Dirt, we learn a lot about him. He works at a bar. He has a criminal record that’s not entirely his fault. He’s searching for happiness despite life repeatedly denying it to him. He’s messy. He’s complicated. And thus, he feels very real, even while he films a crystal ashtray floating through the air.
Then, in a rooftop conversation with John, Levi says this:
“I’ve never been attracted to anyone. And that is a very hard thing to explain to people that you’d be interested in dating.”
Why Levi’s Character Resonates with Asexual Horror Fans
I’m not sure it’s possible to adequately express what hearing those words meant to me. As an asexual horror fan, it was impossible to find myself in my favorite genre. Until 2022, the closest I could get were the characters fleeing from a sexually transmitted demon in It Follows. But with just two lines, I felt seen and understood in a way I hadn’t before. Levi even makes it clear that he wants romance, countering the common misconception that all asexual people are also aromantic.
Levi was me. I was Levi. Regardless of what the future would bring, asexuality had finally made its way into horror cinema, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
After this scene, Levi’s sexuality isn’t mentioned again, apart from a single admonition from John for comparing Levi’s sexuality to John’s apocalyptic religion (it makes sense in context). Levi is simply allowed to be a guy caught up in the weirdness around him, making the fact that he’s asexual all the more significant.
Something in the Dirt is a delightful little movie that I recommend watching any time of year, but especially during Pride Month. It offers a captivating, intimate adventure that will linger in your thoughts long after viewing. And, for my fellow aces, it provides a long-awaited piece of representation in our favorite genres. My only hope is that for future Pride Months, there will be enough asexuals in horror that I won’t need to keep counting.
Something in the Dirt is currently streaming on Hulu.
