Review – Butterfly
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Butterfly Review: Daniel Dae Kim Delivers A Gripping Spy Thriller Full Of Action And Heart
Reviewed by Joy Parris-Butterfly stars Daniel Dae Kim. He is also the executive producer. Daniel Dae Kim is known for his roles in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. The series is based on the BOOM! Studios graphic novel series created by Arash Amel with Marguerite Bennett. Kitao Sakurai directed the opening episodes. The series bursts onto the screen with a bold visual style. This sets the tone for a gripping ride.
This is more than your typical action-packed spy thriller. While it delivers on espionage, fight sequences, and intrigue, Butterfly is rooted in something deeper—complex, psychological family dynamics. At its heart, it’s a story about love, protection, betrayal, and loyalty, woven into the dangerous web of covert operations.
Daniel Dae Kim plays David Jung, a highly unpredictable former U.S. intelligence operative living off the grid in South Korea. His past catches up to him. A choice he made years ago comes back to haunt him. That choice was meant to protect his young daughter. Years earlier, David co-founded the spy agency Caddis with his partner Juno (Piper Perabo). But after a mission goes wrong, David fakes his death to shield his family from danger. Jump to the current. He’s hunted by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a ruthless young assassin working for Caddis. She happens to be the very daughter he tried to save.
The emotional stakes are as high as the action. Kim captures the raw conflict of a father seeking redemption while confronting the fallout of his choices. Perabo’s Juno emerges as a chilling antagonist, rivaling some of the most memorable villains on screen. Hardesty delivers a layered performance, moving seamlessly between cold precision and flashes of vulnerability. Her scenes with Kim are electric—each one a push and pull between violence and connection.
Louis Landau, as Oliver, adds another emotional thread. His yearning for his mother’s approval is palpable, his vulnerability etched in every scene. Together, the young cast holds their own against the seasoned leads.
Visually, Butterfly is stunning. The film was shot entirely in South Korea. The cinematography captures the vibrant energy of Seoul, from bustling market stalls to neon-lit nightlife. This makes the city itself feel like a character.
Series regulars include Reina Hardesty (The Secret Art of Human Flight). Piper Perabo (Yellowstone, Billions) and Louis Landau (Rivals) are also regulars alongside Kim. Recurring cast members include Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, and Kim Tae-hee. Charles Parnell, Sean Dulake, and Nayoon Kim also recur. There are guest appearances from Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa.
Butterfly thrives because it’s not just about espionage—it’s about the cost of it. It takes you on an unpredictable journey through power, betrayal, and the unbreakable (and sometimes destructive) bonds of family.
All episodes of Butterfly premiere August 13 on Prime Video.
