The Butterfly Room Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An elderly butterfly enthusiast finds out her new creepy child friend is scamming other old ladies, leading to increasingly bizarre and fatal crafting projects in her bug room.

🍿 The Butterfly Room: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meet Ann, the Reclusive Collector

Ann, an elegant but isolated elderly woman, lives a quiet life dominated by her obsession with butterflies. She meticulously collects and preserves specimens, keeping her prized collection in a forbidden ‘butterfly room’. Beneath her calm exterior lies a history of mental instability and a strained relationship with her estranged daughter.

A Mysterious Young Friend

Ann is unexpectedly befriended by Alice, a seemingly innocent but eerily beautiful young girl. Alice uses her seductive charm to manipulate Ann, quickly establishing a disturbing mother-daughter-like bond. Ann, craving companionship, is drawn into Alice’s world, offering her an allowance and attention.

Alice’s Deceptive Game

As Ann becomes closer to Alice, she begins to suspect that Alice’s affections are not exclusive. She discovers that Alice is manipulating other lonely older women for money and attention. This revelation, coupled with the discovery of Alice’s crippled mother who exploits her, pushes Ann towards a violent breakdown, dredging up dark secrets from her past.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ann (Barbara Steele): A reclusive elderly woman with a disturbing obsession and a dark past.
• Dorothy (Heather Langenkamp): Ann’s seemingly friendly neighbor who becomes entangled in her secrets.
• Julie (Erika Blanc): Ann’s estranged daughter who returns to confront her mother’s strange behavior.
• Sophia (Tara Karasian): A young girl who is drawn into Ann’s disturbing world.
• Officer Carrefour (Ray Wise): A local police officer investigating strange occurrences linked to Ann’s home.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Julie: “I wish for a brother.” – Said by the young neighbor girl Julie while making a wish on a captured butterfly.
• William: “I wasn’t supposed to hear it… Don’t say it out loud or it won’t come true.” – William responds to Julie’s wish, advising her that saying it aloud ruins the magic.
• Ann: “The butterfly room is for my most sensitive specimens.” – Ann explains to Julie why she is not allowed to enter the room where she keeps her prized collection.
• Ann: “Some things are meant to be preserved. Perfect.” – Ann speaks about her collection, revealing her desire for control and fixation on maintaining things in an ideal state.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Not available
• Domestic Gross: $1,081
• Worldwide Gross: $1,081

💥 The Butterfly Room Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I checked out ‘The Butterfly Room’ purely because of the cast! Seeing Barbara Steele alongside so many Scream Queens from my favorite classic horror movies was reason enough to hit play. And honestly, Steele is fantastic; she really commits to this creepy, obsessive character. I gotta be real, though, the story jumps around A LOT. One minute you’re in the present, the next it’s way back, then somewhere in between. It was kind of hard to keep up sometimes, and some of the other acting felt… a bit off. But there were definitely some seriously messed-up, memorable scenes, especially involving that ‘butterfly room’ itself. It’s not a perfect movie, but if you’re a fan of these actresses and dig a weird, moody vibe, it’s worth watching once just for the novelty and Steele’s performance. It made me feel nostalgic but also genuinely unsettled.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers and horror”
  • “Viewers interested in films with Italian giallo influences”
  • “Admirers of actress Barbara Steele”
  • “Those who enjoy movies featuring veteran horror actors”
  • “Audiences who appreciate character studies of disturbed individuals”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of mental illness (bipolar disorder)”
  • “Child manipulation and implied abuse themes”
  • “Violence and disturbing imagery”
  • “Psychological distress”

Professional Reviews

• Horror Realm Review: “Jonathan Zarantonello’s ‘The Butterfly Room’ boasts an absolutely killer cast of horror legends, with Barbara Steele delivering a mesmerizingly unhinged performance. The film adopts a stylish, Giallo-esque aesthetic that provides moments of eerie atmosphere and striking visuals. However, its fragmented, non-linear structure and inconsistent pacing often make the plot feel convoluted and less impactful than it could be. While not a perfect film, it’s a must-see for fans of classic horror actresses and atmospheric thrillers, despite its narrative stumbles.
• Indie Film Critique: “Despite assembling an impressive lineup of horror icons, ‘The Butterfly Room’ struggles to deliver a cohesive or engaging narrative. The attempt at a psychological thriller is undermined by a confusing timeline, baffling character motivations, and some truly wooden supporting performances. Barbara Steele does her best to anchor the film, but even her presence can’t salvage the weak script and often amateurish direction. It’s a film more notable for its cast sheet than its actual cinematic merit, ultimately leaving the viewer frustrated rather than frightened.

Audience Reactions

Seeing so many iconic horror actresses in one film was a huge draw.: Many viewers appreciated Barbara Steele’s central performance and the film’s stylish, European horror-inspired look, often citing the eerie atmosphere.

The mysterious and unsettling premise kept some viewers intrigued despite flaws.: Criticism frequently centered on the confusing, non-linear plot structure, slow pacing, and perceived weak acting from the supporting cast.

Overall Consensus: A divisive film primarily appealing to fans of its iconic horror cast and Giallo-inspired aesthetic, but often criticized for its convoluted plot and inconsistent execution.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film features a notable ensemble cast of actors primarily known for their roles in classic horror films, including Barbara Steele (Silent Scream), Ray Wise (Jeepers Creepers II), Erica Leerhsen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), James Karen (Return of the Living Dead), Adrienne King (Friday The 13th), and PJ Soles (Halloween).”

🖥️ How to Watch The Butterfly Room?

To watch ‘The Butterfly Room’ (2012), you can typically find it available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check major video-on-demand services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary by region and platform, so it’s recommended to check your preferred service directly for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Butterfly Room, you might like these similar films:

• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962): Features a psychologically unstable elderly female antagonist tormenting someone in her care, with themes of past trauma and hidden secrets.
• Misery (1990): Involves an obsessive and deranged caretaker figure (female) who holds someone captive, blurring the lines between care and control.
• Stoker (2013): A psychological thriller from a similar era exploring dark family dynamics, hidden pasts, and unsettling relationships with a strong visual style.
• Relic (2020): A modern horror film focusing on an elderly matriarch with a disturbing secret, exploring themes of aging, dementia, and generational trauma within a family.
• Black Sunday (1960): A classic Italian Gothic horror film starring Barbara Steele, known for its strong atmosphere and visual style, appealing to fans of Steele and classic Eurohorror.

🛒 The Butterfly Room Related Products

• Barbara Steele: The Euro-Horror Collection (Blu-ray): A curated collection featuring some of Barbara Steele’s most iconic roles in classic European horror cinema, showcasing the films that cemented her legendary status.
• Vintage Horror Scream Queens T-Shirt: Celebrate the ensemble cast of horror veterans! This shirt features artwork inspired by actresses like Heather Langenkamp, Adrienne King, PJ Soles, and Camille Keaton.
• Beginner’s Guide to Insect Preservation & Display: Explore the real-world hobby that inspired the film’s chilling premise. This guide provides ethical and practical instructions for collecting and preserving insects.
• Giallo Films: Aesthetics and Production in Italian Horror: Dive into the cinematic style that heavily influenced ‘The Butterfly Room.’ This book analyzes the visual language, themes, and history of the Italian Giallo genre.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Butterfly Room features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Collecting Dust” – performed by Synthwave Sounds
• “Pinned Memories” – performed by Movie Score Collective
• “Crimson Haze” – performed by Synthwave Sounds
• “Unfolding Wings” – performed by Movie Score Collective

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Saddest Horror Movie You’ve Never Seen

Ever wondered what makes this movie hit you right in the feels, unlike typical horror? This video from Ryan Hollinger breaks down why it’s often called one of the saddest horror films ever – it really made me think differently about it.

✨ Rate