Erkhmee has brought his ambiguously “disturbed” wife Selenge to a remote country cabin, so she can rest for the sake of her advanced pregnancy. He is highly protective of her, perhaps too protective, judging from the perspective of their new next-door neighbor. Selenge’s vivid nightmares are also quite alarming. There is clearly something sinister afoot, but Batsukh is deliberately withholding the full picture. The truth is definitely the stuff of horror movies. It will even involve axe murders.
Initially, Aberrance seems to follow the classic low-budget horror movie playbook, with its small cast of characters and easily manageable locations. However, its Mongolian cultural origins, particularly the traditional emphasis placed on “hospitality,” deepens the significance of the terrors that unfold.
Frankly, Batsukh’s talent for misdirection would be impressive in any context. Experienced genre connoisseurs might be able to hazard a guess, but there is no obvious telegraphing. You can see up on the screen how much talent and potential he has, as a genre filmmaker.
Aberrance is so vividly wintery, you can almost see your breath while watching it. It is also pretty chilling in other ways too. Highly recommended for horror fans, Aberrance is now playing at the Laemmle Royal.
