Butterfly is an action-packed and riveting spy thriller series that is also a compelling drama that explores the relationship between parents and their children.
Daniel Dae Kim (LOST, Hawaii Five-O, Avatar: The Last Airbender) returns in a lead role on TV with Butterfly, for which he’s also an executive producer. The series is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Arash Amel. It’s composed of 6 episodes and premieres August 13 on Prime Video.
A SPY ACTION SERIES
Butterfly is a spy thriller that focuses on David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative who everyone thought was dead. He is hunted by his daughter, Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), who works for Caddis, a spy intelligence organization. Right from the start, the first episode sets the tone. It’s an action-packed series. Indeed, each episode delivers intense action scenes. The adrenaline is running high. The series is very much a game of cat and mouse between David and Caddis. Each one is trying to get to the other.
Butterfly works perfectly as an action series and just as much as a spy series. Undoubtedly, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It comes with exciting twists and turns, some that you see coming and others that you don’t. The twists that you see coming are not a bad thing; it’s more important what it does to the characters in the moment than the audience having already guessed them.
AND A COMPELLING DRAMA
Moreover, Butterfly is also a compelling drama. It explores in depth the relationship between parents and their children. There are two main relationships the series explores. Firstly, Rebecca and her estranged father, David, are the focus as they are the main characters. It’s complex because they were apart for so long, and they’re different people now. There’s a conflict between them. For Rebecca, there’s a lot of back and forth. It’s interesting to see that relationship developing throughout the series. Secondly, there’s Juno (Piper Perabo) and Oliver (Louis Landau) from Caddis. This is a different type of relationship, but there’s more to it than it seems at first. So, it’s just as intriguing to see how this one unfolds.
The series has the right balance between action, spy, and moments for the characters to breathe and be developed. When all is said and done, you’ll be left wanting more of this series. The story isn’t done yet and requires a second season.
CAST
I have been following Daniel Dae Kim’s career ever since LOST, so it’s nice to see him as a lead in a series again. The role of David Jung suits him. He can juggle between strong emotions and serious action scenes. He brings a lot of depth to his character. Daniel and Reina Hardesty have great chemistry as this unlikely duo of father and daughter. Hardesty brings a little bit of madness to her character. The way she delivers her incisive lines and her expressions, Hardesty makes the audience feel her character has fun doing what she does, which is what makes her unpredictable.
VISUALS & OPENING CREDITS
I always say series with opening credits are better, and Butterfly is one of them. It has a stylish opening that feels a little bit James Bond-esque. That’s the right fit for a spy thriller story. The series takes place in South Korea and makes excellent use of its beautiful scenery. It’s not just that they filmed in Korea, it’s also that the series immerses itself in Korean culture and showcases this on screen. It features street food, karaoke, the temples, the big cities, the 7-Eleven…
Furthermore, the characters often speak Korean. It may be an American series, but it does its job when it comes to representing an accurate South Korea. Finally, it has vibrant colours, making it an enjoyable watch in 4K.
VERDICT
Butterfly is an action-packed and riveting spy thriller series that is also a compelling drama that explores the relationship between parents and their children.
Butterfly premieres August 13 on Prime Video.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
