Black Butterfly (2017)

Black Butterfly Poster

Paul is a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who picks up a drifter and offers him a place to stay. However, when the deranged stranger takes Paul hostage and forces him to write, their unhinged relationship brings buried secrets to light.

Introduction
"Black Butterfly" is a 2017 English-language psychological thriller which was directed by Brian Goodman and is in fact a remake of the French movie "Papillon Noir" from 2008. The film includes Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the lead roles. It is based upon the fascinating story of a having a hard time author who unknowingly invites danger into his life.

Main Plot
Antonio Banderas plays Paul, a down on his luck screenwriter living in a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains. He is handling the after-effects of a divorce and a severe writing block. The small town he presently resides in is fighting a series of unsolved murders and kidnappings, resulting in an environment of stress and fear with every brand-new stranger.

Unexpectedly, Paul comes across a drifter named Jack, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who rescues Paul from a quarrel at a regional restaurant. In gratitude, Paul provides Jack a place to stay in his cabin, and this becomes a point of regret throughout the movie. Jack proves to be a manipulative and potentially dangerous houseguest, forcing Paul into a psychological video game of feline and mouse that threatens his extremely existence.

Twist and Turns
The tight and remarkable plot includes a series of unexpected turns. Jack presumes control, forcing Paul to compose again to produce a movie script based upon Jack's concept. In the middle of the cold, separated background, the two develop a tense relationship, with Jack increasingly displaying menacing behavior, consisting of physical violence.

An additional layer of tension is included when Laura, a property agent played by Piper Perabo, checks out the cabin. As the story progresses, she ends up being an unknowing pawn in the lethal mind video game between Jack and Paul.

Ending
The climax of "Black Butterfly" is as fascinating as the lead-up to it. There comes a point where Jack decides it's time to end their story by recommending an extreme concluding scene involving himself, Paul, and the unaware Laura. At this moment in the story, it is revealed that whatever that had transpired was in fact part of Paul's script. The final scenes play out with tension that sees Paul turn the story on its head, revealing a plot twist that stuns Jack and provides an awesome climax to the audience.

Concluding Remarks
"Black Butterfly" offers an interesting exploration of a mental thriller with its suspenseful story and completely established primary characters. Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Rhys Meyers deliver extreme performances in their functions as Paul and Jack respectively, making the seclusion of the setting feel all the more claustrophobic and the situation significantly perilous. The unanticipated plot twist in the end strengthens "Black Butterfly" as a layered, engaging thriller. In spite of the film being a remake, it unfolds with an effective identity of its own. This movie is a sensational example of cinematic storytelling that skilfully keeps viewers on the edge of their seats till the very end.

Top Cast

  • Antonio Banderas (small)
    Antonio Banderas
    Paul
  • Jonathan Rhys Meyers (small)
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    Jack
  • Piper Perabo (small)
    Piper Perabo
    Laura
  • Abel Ferrara (small)
    Abel Ferrara
    Pat
  • Nicholas Aaron (small)
    Nicholas Aaron
    Delivery Man
  • Vincent Riotta (small)
    Vincent Riotta
    Lt Carcano
  • Gioia Libardoni (small)
    Gioia Libardoni
    Waitress
  • Nathalie Rapti Gomez (small)
    Nathalie Rapti Gomez
    Julie
  • Alexandra Klim (small)
    Alexandra Klim
    Paul's Wife
  • Katie McGovern (small)
    Katie McGovern
    Nancy Barrows
  • Randall Paul
    Mr. Owen