My quick take on ‘Butterfly’ - A Stylish Spy Flick With Emotional Wing-Flaps

My quick take on ‘Butterfly’ - A Stylish Spy Flick With Emotional Wing-Flaps (Amazon Prime)

Oh Butterfly, how suavely you flutter across Amazon Prime—looking like a million-dollar K-drama wrapped in Hollywood polish, yet occasionally feeling like it borrowed its emotional compass from a soap opera marathon. Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung is the brooding ex-CIA dad who pulled off the ultimate disappearing act, only to be hunted down by his own assassin-daughter Rebecca (played with grenade-in-one-hand, teddy-bear-in-the-other finesse by Reina Hardesty).

Now here’s the thing—whenever I watch a K-drama, the back of my mind whispers: “How adaptable is this for the desi audience?” And on that metric, Butterfly is practically begging to be transplanted. I can already smell the masala: estranged father-daughter, betrayal, reunion, separation, re-reunion—milna aur bichadna aur phir milna. Toss in two or three melodramatic songs (maybe one rain dance, one emotional flashback, and one slow-mo revenge ballad) and voilà—Bollywood blockbuster. Or, let’s be real, someone in Hyderabad is probably storyboarding the Telugu version as we speak.

Because let’s face it—Indian audiences relish exactly this mix: high-octane action, emotional drama served in steel thalis, and enough family angst to keep the TRP aunties busy. Which is precisely why I managed to sit through all six episodes in just two sittings.

And K-drama action? Ah yes, the slashy-blade ballet. This show doesn’t disappoint. The choreography could spar with Hollywood and win a few bruises of respect. The plot twists, too, arrive on time like your nosy neighbors—predictable, but entertaining nonetheless. Even the climax has enough rattling shock value to make you fumble for your popcorn.

Now, honesty hour: if you strip away the sheen, Butterfly is essentially a glossy B-grade action flick dressed in A-grade cinematography. Watchable, yes. Mind-blowing, not quite. But it’s slick enough that you don’t regret the ride.

Also, about that title. Decades ago, I read and watched Papillon—Steve McQueen at his rugged best. A gritty masterpiece. Then came the remake, same name, but sadly… forgettable. Now we have Butterfly—not quite Papillon, but flappy enough to give you déjà vu wings.

Final Sarcastic Snap Verdict:

If you want grit, go re-watch Papillon. If you want six episodes of glossy spy family drama with action sequences sharp enough to slice onions, Butterfly is your fluttery weekend fix. Just don’t be shocked if next year, a Bollywood trailer drops titled Titli – Ek Rishton Ki Jung.