“Aberrance”: Dark unseen forces haunt a couple on a retreat in the woods – SXSW2023

In Ganiveta we do our best to give visibility to movies from around the world, and yet I think we never mentioned a movie from Mongolia. Well, that is going to change today because the horror drama Aberrance (2022) is having its American premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival this month.

In the movie, when city dwellers Erkhmee and Selenge arrive at an old cabin deep in the Mongolian wilds, a foreboding settles over the couple. Erkhmee’s seemingly keen desire to provide a safe and nurturing space for his artistic wife is at odds with the violent actions and mannerisms their quizzical neighbor observes. As the neighbor digs deeper for the reason behind this aberrant behavior, only more questions and trouble arise.

This is the debut feature film of the writer and director Baatar Batsukh after having been the cinematographer in popular Mongolian action films like Double Crossed: Ar Hudarga (2015), Trapped Abroad 2 (2016), Reparation (2018), and The Steed (2019). Aberrance (2022) has been co-written by Trevor Doyle, the film’s executive producer, and the first assistant director Byambasuren Ganbat.

Selenge Chadraabal, Erkhembayar Ganbat, Sukhee Ariunbyamba, Bayarsanaa Batchuluun, and Badamtsetseg Batmunkh form the main cast.

Here it’s the visually exciting official trailer for Aberrance (2022).

This year’s South by Southwest Film Festival is having as headliners a bunch of films that are called to be blockbusters in the spring and summer seasons. The most exciting one is, without a doubt, the world premiere of Lee Cronin and the co-writer and producer Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead Rise (2023), the new entry of the popular horror saga this time centering on two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

The fantasy and action tale Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), with a cast filled with stars including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant, is also called to be one of the hit titles of the year in the terms of the box office.

Flamin’ Hot (2023), the biopic of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos snacks creator Richard Montañez, directed by Eva Longoria, and Julio Torres’ drama comedy Problemista (2023) starring Tilda Swinton, RZA, and Isabella Rossellini, are also headliners at the festival.

You can find more information about the SXSW 2023 festival on its official website.