Black Butterfly poster

Black Butterfly

Movie R 2017 1h 33m 6.2 /10
Directed by Brian Goodman

Paul, a down on his luck screenwriter, takes in a drifter he meets, hoping to lend a hand and perhaps spark a new story. But the guest proves unstable, breaking into Paul's apartment and gripping the night with threats. The stranger imposes a harsh demand he must write under hostage pressure,... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 19, 2026

About Black Butterfly

Paul, a down on his luck screenwriter, takes in a drifter he meets, hoping to lend a hand and perhaps spark a new story. But the guest proves unstable, breaking into Paul's apartment and gripping the night with threats. The stranger imposes a harsh demand he must write under hostage pressure, turning the writer's world into a pressure chamber. As days blur into nights, the forced collaboration uncovers past betrayals, debts, and secrets neither man anticipated. The bond between captor and captive tightens in troubling ways, revealing that the art of writing may be as dangerous as the blade that holds it. The tension arises from threats and the moral cost of turning someone into a reader of private secrets.

Directed by Brian Goodman, Black Butterfly is a psychological thriller built from a collaboration between writers Justin Stanley and Marc Frydman. It features Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in a claustrophobic setup that tests trust and resilience under pressure.

Box office data for Black Butterfly isn't listed in the provided materials, so no reliable worldwide gross figure is available here. The film's commercial footprint remains uncharted in this description globally. Its production values suggest a lean but determined approach.

Critics described the film as a taut character study that probes coercive power and the price of art under duress. It centers on trust, guilt, and hidden histories that reshape who the characters are when the grip loosens. The atmosphere relies on close quarters, a minimal score, and restrained performances.

There isn't a notable cultural footprint attached to Black Butterfly. No famous quotable lines or iconic scenes have entered pop culture, and the film tends to be remembered mainly by genre fans who appreciate intimate psychological thrillers that favor performance and mood over flashy set pieces. It rewards patient viewers.

What Viewers Are Saying

6.2/10
from 561 ratings

Most viewers see Black Butterfly as a solid if not standout suspense thriller that works best as a one time watch. The plot threads a lonely writer, a woman helping him sell his house, and a tense trucker encounter, and it dangles several endings that can feel overlong. The pace shifts from a slow setup to brisk, twisty turns, and the finale sparks debate with some wishing for a different ending.

Details

Release Date
May 26, 2017
Runtime
1h 33m
Rating
R
User Ratings
561 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Country
United States
Studio
Battleplan Productions +3 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas

Paul

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Jack

Piper Perabo

Piper Perabo

Laura

Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara

Pat

Nicholas Aaron

Nicholas Aaron

Delivery Man

Vincent Riotta

Vincent Riotta

Lt Carcano

Gioia Libardoni

Gioia Libardoni

Waitress

Nathalie Rapti Gomez

Nathalie Rapti Gomez

Julie

A

Alexandra Klim

Paul's Wife

Katie McGovern

Katie McGovern

Nancy Barrows

Director: Brian Goodman

Written by: Justin Stanley, Marc Frydman

Frequently Asked Questions

Black Butterfly is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, Black Butterfly is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 6.2/10 from 561 viewers, Black Butterfly is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Paul, a down on his luck screenwriter, takes in a drifter he meets, hoping to lend a hand and perhaps spark a new story. But the guest proves unstable, breaking into Paul's apartment and gripping the night with threats. The stranger imposes a harsh demand he must write under hostage pressure, tur...

Black Butterfly stars Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Piper Perabo, Abel Ferrara, and Nicholas Aaron.

Black Butterfly was directed by Brian Goodman.

Black Butterfly was released on May 26, 2017.

Black Butterfly is a Thriller, Mystery, and Drama film.

Antonio Banderas plays Paul, the down-on-his-luck screenwriter who takes in a drifter. The drifter’s presence leads to a hostage situation that forces Paul to write, and their volatile relationship uncovers buried secrets.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Jack, the deranged drifter who takes Paul hostage and compels him to write. Their tense dynamic drives the mystery and psychological twists of the film.

The film was directed by Brian Goodman, with Justin Stanley and Marc Frydman credited as creators. It blends thriller, mystery, and drama elements.

The story follows Paul, a screenwriter who offers shelter to a drifter. When the stranger kidnaps him and forces him to write, their unhinged relationship brings buried secrets to light.