ABERRANCE (2023)

New On Demand and digital download from Three Flames Pictures!
Directed by Baatar Batsukh.
Written by Baatar Batsukh, Trevor Doyle, Byambasuren Ganbat, Alexa Khan, Erdene Orosoo.
Starring Selenge Chadraabal, Erkhembayar Ganbat, Yalalt Namsrai, Oyundary Jamsranjav, Bayarsanaa Batchuluun, Badamtsetseg Batmunkh, Sukhee Ariunbyamba

When a couple Selenge and Erkheme (played by Selenge Chadraabal and Erkhembayar Ganbat) move into a small home in the Mongolian countryside. But the couple have some strange habits, raising the interest of their nosy neighbor (played by Yalalt Namsrai). Believing abuse is going on, the neighbor attempts to save the young woman from her husband. But everything is not what it seems.
ABERRANCE is a stylistic powerhouse of a film from Baatar Batsukh. This is a film that looks like no other, adopting all sorts of camera trickery in order to tell its story. Strange camera angles, cameras attached to the actor a la Aronofsky’s PI and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, red filters, and all sorts of vivid camera movement are used to make what might be a typical story about a suspicious couple and their nosy neighbor absolutely unique. From a filmmaking point of view, ABERRANCE is something I haven’t experienced before, and I loved every exciting minute of it.

There is a mystery going on and it turns out it is quite complicated. Not everything is what it seems and there are elements of the story that certain players know nothing about. There’s also a conspiracy afoot and all kinds of deceptions, betrayals, and lies going on. So ABERRANCE gets a little overly complex to the point of losing those who might not be paying close attention all the way through. ABERRANCE takes a few too many twists and turns in the final act for my tastes.

But the performances make up for it. Specifically, the stunning Selenge Chadraabal as the woman in peril who has an enchanting and mystifying presence throughout the entire movie. She has a strangeness about her and paired with the mystery surrounding the actress, it makes the movie difficult to turn away from. Yalalt Namsrai delivers a wonderful physically demanding turn as the neighbor whose actions are sometimes comic and sometimes laced with drama. And Erkhembayar Ganbat is commanding as the husband, keeping things ambiguous and forcing you to doubt whether he can be trusted or not.

ABERRANCE is filled with nightmarish imagery, strange occurrences, and utter mystery. It’s a film that never lets you get settled in too long with what you think you believe, delivering a tension laced whirlwind of a thriller where no one is safe. But out of all of it, the unusual and creative way Baatar Batsukh uses his camera is the true highlight of this small, but potent film from Mongolia.

Check out the trailer here!!