Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- sensual
- introspective
- quiet evening
- arthouse romance night
What critics said
Critics and festival institutions recognized Butterfly for its queer romantic drama, emerging performances, and adapted screenplay.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Flavia’s encounter with Yip reactivates suppressed memories of her teenage affair with Jin.
Flavia is married to Ming while suppressing her lesbian past and newly awakened attraction to Yip.
The adult relationship with Yip is intertwined with Flavia’s recollection of Young Jin and her adolescent awakening.
The film focuses on Flavia’s marriage, encounters with Yip, and emotionally charged recollections of Jin.
Films like Butterfly, and why
The World Unseen
shared lesbian romance, repressed desire, and emotionally introspective relationship drama
Carol
shared queer female desire, social constraint, and period-spanning romantic melancholy
Blue Is the Warmest Color
shared intimate lesbian relationship drama centered on memory, secrecy, and emotional awakening
Movie Details
- Director
- Gorretti Mak Yan-Yan
- Release Date
- 2004-12-02
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (36)
Cast
- Josie Ho
- Tian Yuan
- Eric Kot Man-Fai
- Isabel Chan Yat-Ning
- Stephanie Che Yuen-Yuen
- Chiang Cho-Man
- Kenneth Tsang
- Lau Hung-Dau
- Pauline Yam Bo-Lam
- Jennifer Kong
Common questions
- What is Butterfly about?
- A married Hong Kong teacher confronts the lesbian desire and unfinished memories resurfacing after a seductive singer enters her life.
- What is Butterfly like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Butterfly as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Butterfly violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Butterfly.
- What did critics think of Butterfly?
- Critics and festival institutions recognized Butterfly for its queer romantic drama, emerging performances, and adapted screenplay.
- Which films are like Butterfly?
- Films with a similar feel include The World Unseen, Carol, and Blue Is the Warmest Color.
- How long is Butterfly?
- Butterfly runs 124 minutes.
