In a small village hospital on the outskirts of Mongolia, a hostage situation unfolds. The perpetrator holds the village’s only doctor, along with nurses, a cook, and patients, demanding an enormous ransom. As the local police, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the crisis, struggle to handle the situation, a veteran detective named Davaa arrives from the city. Despite his efforts to navigate the harsh conditions,—lacking proper resources or support—he finds himself increasingly helpless as more hostages are killed. Set against the desolate landscape of inner Mongolia, the hostage situation unfolds skillfully within the conventions of the thriller genre. However, as time goes on, Davaa’s growing sense of helplessness and despair diverges from typical crime drama conventions, exposing the incompetence and corruption of the police leadership and politicians. Director Batsukh Baatar, who began his career as a cinematographer, captivates viewers with his striking visuals. (PARK Sun Young)