Mongolia unleashes its first foray into horror with this psychological tale that not only has some insane twists, but also is a visually enhancing trip into chaos.

To escape the life of the big city, married couple Erkhmee and Selenge decide to try a new life in the woods. Getting a cabin, Erkhmee is hoping it will help Selenge have a safe space as she is an artist, and he feels the new surroundings could help inspire her. However, his approach to ensuring a safe space involves a sense of overprotection that proves to be physical violent at times, leading a sense of resentment from Selenge.

Noticing some of the tension between the couple is their next-door neighbor, and he feels somewhat sorry for Selenge. As much as he wants to do something about it, he can’t find it himself to do so out of fear of being confronted by Erkhmee. As the domineering continues to a point where even a visit from city friends ends up uncomfortable, a turn of events slowly begin to occur. Soon enough, the unexpected begins to happen and things spiral downward.

It is always great to see when a new area delves into horror because one never knows what to expect. For the most part, they provide some great entertaining films that doesn’t have to take itself seriously all the time. In the case of Mongolia, this debut horror film from cinematographer Baatar Batsukh not only delves into a serious matter, but with his expertise behind the lens, Batsukh does something quite mindblowing with his visuals on the film.

What is interesting is that the character names of the two central characters, our couple, are the actual names of the actors. Following something in the vein on Jackie Chan playing characters named “Jackie”, Selenge Chadraabal and Erkhembayar Ganbat are excellent in the roles of wife and husband. Things seem calm within the first ten minutes, but soon enough, we see Erkhem’s nature of being domineering and overprotective of his wife but forcing her to take meds and serving as a physical and emotional abusive husband.

Yalalt Namsrai is great as the neighbor who witnesses the couple at times and it’s clear he knows something is off but fears that if he gets involved, he may end up suffering some dire consequences. What Batsukh does in the film to make this very complicated situation between the three is that he gives a direct point of view between the trio. For instance, we see the point of view of Selenge, then Erkhem as well as the neighbor when he is seeing them.

While the film has a runtime of 75 minutes, it works perfectly because just over halfway through, we start getting some major twists in the story that help connect the dots when it comes to the couple and their neighbor and the twists just get more shocking as the film goes on until the mindblowing finale.

Aberrance is a great entry into the psychological horror film, a first for Mongolia. Excellent performances, great visuals, and a twist-filled third act makes this one for the curious mind for sure.

WFG RATING: A-

Freestyle Digital Media and Raven Banner Entertainment presents a Three Flames Pictures production. Director: Baatar Batsukh. Producers: Alexa Khan and Trevor Doyle. Writers: Baatar Batsukh, Erdene Orosoo, and Byambasuren Ganbat. Cinematography: Baatar Batsukh. Editing: Zoljargal Erdenekhyuag.

Cast: Selenge Chadraabal, Erkhembaray Ganbat, Yalalt Namsrai, Oyundary Jamsranjav, Bayarsanaa Barchuluun, Badamtsetseg Batmunkh, Sukhee Ariunbyamba.

The film will be released in select theaters on October 6.