In Russia, the International Satanist Movement has been officially recognized as an extremist organization and its activities are now prohibited. This decision underscores the nation’s stance against certain groups and ideologies.

The narrative unfolds in a small Russian town during a period reminiscent of the late Perestroika and the immediate aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse, where a sense of finality and unease permeates the atmosphere. This era, marked by uncensored and often disturbing news coverage of terrorist attacks and shootings, created a climate of fear and uncertainty. Alongside these events, bizarre occurrences, such as stories of serial killers and unexplained phenomena like the Kyshtym dwarf, contributed to a sense of strangeness and dread amplified by television broadcasts.

Amidst this backdrop, the story centers on Sapogov, an elderly accountant leading a monotonous life in a modest apartment. Driven by a desire for excitement and unforgettable experiences, he decides to dabble in the occult and attempts to serve the devil, hoping to transform himself into a warlock.

Adding another layer of intrigue, a young boy named Konstantin is introduced, bearing a strange black finger growing on his hand, hinting at the presence of supernatural elements within this world.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation had previously banned and liquidated the religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” along with its regional subdivisions.