Verdict
Summary
If you are a fan of thrillers with a twist, this sits nicely along side films such as Secret Window, Wild Things and The Game.
Plot: Outside a mountain town grappling with a series of abductions and murders, Paul (Antonio Banderas), a reclusive writer, struggles to start what he hopes will be a career-saving screenplay. After a tense encounter at a diner with a drifter named Jack (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Paul offers Jack a place to stay – and soon the edgy, demanding Jack muscles his way into Paul’s work. As a storm cuts off power to the isolated cabin, the two men begin a jagged game of one-upmanship that will bring at least one tale to an end.
Review: Black Butterfly is a tough movie to thoroughly review without giving away some of the twists that make it unique, and the last thing we want to do is offer up any spoilers. What it is though, is an engaging thriller that begins harmlessly enough and takes you through plenty of twists and turns.
Having been unable to capture some of his original successes, writer Paul, has fallen on hard times. He is alone, an alcoholic and in desperate need of money. So much so that he is selling his secluded dream home with the help of first time local real estate agent Laura (played by Piper Perabo). It is while meeting at a diner with Laura that Paul first encounters Jack, a rough drifter who helps Paul out of a potentially bad situation and at which point where Black Butterfly finds it’s wings.
It is nice to see Antonio Banderas having somewhat of a resurgence of late and it is in smaller niche films where he really gets to display his acting chops. As Paul, Banderas nicely plays the role of the tortured writer so desperate for acclaim again but unwilling to take the first step on his path to redemption.
Piper Perabo does a nice job as the single mom and object of Paul’s affection, but the film really revolves around the cat and mouse game between Banderas and Rhys Meyers.
As Jack, Rhys Meyers shines as the creepy drifter. He is not too physically imposing to get your guard up, but at the same time is just unhinged enough to keep you on your toes. It is when he and Paul engage in their claustrophobic power struggle, is the true tone of the film fully realized. As the film ended, I did wonder though if it had just one too many twists to make it satisfying, but having lived with it for a few days, I do think it managed to pull it off.
Overall, I really enjoyed Black Butterfly and if you are a fan of thrillers with a twist, this sits nicely along side films such as Secret Window, Wild Things and The Game.
BLACK BUTTERFLY is in theaters, On-Demand & Digital HD May 26th