Critics Have Seen Daniel Dae Kim’s Butterfly, And They Seem To Agree About What The Intense Prime Video Series Plays ‘Too Safe’

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As a movie enthusiast eagerly scanning the 2025 TV landscape, I’m thrilled to announce Daniel Dae Kim’s electrifying comeback in the high-octane series, “Butterfly.” Streaming now exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, this action-packed drama also features Reina Hardesty, Louis Landau, and Piper Perabo.

While critics have had a chance to devour all six episodes, opinions have been mixed, but the general agreement seems to be that while the action sequences are jaw-dropping, the narrative might lean towards the familiar, striking a balance between adrenaline-pumping fight scenes and a storyline that some feel could push the envelope just a bit more. Nevertheless, “Butterfly” promises an exhilarating ride for fans of Kim and the action genre.

The trailer for the series titled “Butterfly” hinted at its capability to offer action akin to that of the Reacher series. Prime Video promotes it as a spy thriller featuring intricate family dynamics, with Daniel Dae Kim portraying David, a former U.S. intelligence agent residing in South Korea who finds himself in trouble due to past decisions. As he evades an assassin and navigates through spies, his daughter Rebecca (Hardesty) becomes entangled in the plot.

If you’re unsure if you’d like to watch the series Butterfly using your Prime Video subscription, consider reading some critical reviews. To start, here’s an opinion from Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter:

The action-packed series, filled with physical fights, gunfights, and high-speed car chases, is primarily centered around family drama, fueled by intense yet relatable emotions. Although the series, conceived by Steph Cha and Ken Woodruff, could have delved deeper into its compelling initial concept, it offers an enjoyable blend of emotional depth and adrenaline-pumping scenes. This show, with its focus on men proficient in tactical equipment, adds a harmless, engaging touch to the growing library of shows on the platform.

THR

Featuring an action-packed lineup such as “Reacher,” starring Alan Ritchson, and the suspenseful “Countdown” (currently without a Season 2 renewal), Amazon Prime Video was likely to provide another series brimming with “brawls and gunfights.” However, the captivating family drama of “Butterfly” seems to offer something more engaging and distinctive, as noted by Aramide Tinubu of Variety.

The series mainly focuses on action, leaving many emotional aspects of the story untouched. It might have been more impactful if condensed into a two-hour film, reducing unnecessary pauses. However, the show does have its merits, with some captivating plot twists and enough entertainment to keep viewers engaged until the end, curious about whether Rebecca and David can successfully rekindle their relationship, which was broken over a decade ago.

Variety

Daniel Dae Kim, well-known for his television roles such as being part of the cast of the live-action version of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” a prominent actor in the series “Lost,” and with over 150 episodes on “Hawaii Five-0” before being unexpectedly written out by CBS, seems fitting for his role in the TV show “Butterfly.” However, Robert Lloyd of the LA Times notes that the six episodes might present a different perspective upon viewing.

Despite all the action scenes like running, shooting, car chases, martial arts fights, and life-threatening situations, the show, titled Butterfly, can be seen as more than just an action series. Instead, it’s akin to a long-running soap opera, with a focus on family dynamics, albeit with gun violence. The political narrative, if you choose to follow it (though it’s not crucial), takes a backseat compared to the personal story. This personal tale unfolds as David, who has returned, tries to rebuild his relationship with Rebecca and save her, which creates tension between him and Juno. However, Rebecca is not entirely convinced that she needs saving in the first place.

L.A. Times

It seems that “Butterfly” is an ideal choice for uninterrupted viewing, as it offers a straightforward political plot that doesn’t demand frequent pauses to comprehend. This could be advantageous compared to other Amazon Prime Video series which release episodes on a weekly basis, with all six episodes now streaming at once. According to Sherin Nicole from RobertEbert.com, she finds:

Although the bond between the father and daughter contrasted sharply with the mother and son relationship (Juno and Oliver), I found myself less immersed during the viewing. To clarify, I’ve been torn about it. Across the six episodes, I kept pondering whether this show was effective or not, and I’m still undecided. However, Butterfly manages to offer a richer experience by blending South Korean and American cultural nuances, with the backdrop of traditional Korean artistry against today’s world. The cities mentioned in the episode titles aren’t merely locations; they serve as guides, leading us to new destinations that the series wants to explore.

RogerEbert.com

Despite the trailer primarily emphasizing gunfights, speedy car pursuits, espionage, and high-octane actions, it appears that the interspersed family scenes are what truly captivates many critics. It doesn’t necessarily imply that the production falters by dividing its attention, as suggested by Jonathon Wilson’s review for ReadySteadyCut: the balance may actually enrich the overall experience.

The essence of Butterfly lies in its dual nature, as it effectively balances both thrilling spy elements and heartfelt family dramas. It transitions seamlessly into an intense, covert-ops narrative with gripping action and tension, spanning diverse settings and styles. However, unlike a mere add-on, the family aspect feels authentic and enhances the overall plot. This harmonious blend not only provides relief from a potentially grim conspiracy story but also infuses the character relationships with an element of risk and gravity, making them indispensable to each other. In essence, one can’t exist without the other.

ReadySteadyCut

In general, “Butterfly” could resonate with viewers who enjoy intense shows available on Prime Video and supporters of Daniel Dae Kim. However, it seems that not all critics are entirely captivated by the new series. Screenrant’s Grant Hermanns delves into some mild spoilers in his review.

Despite its attempts to be daring, Butterfly often plays it too conservatively. The early episodes resemble a chase series, while the latter ones transition into a full-fledged espionage drama. However, even when it tries to surprise us with unexpected turns, they are easily foreseeable. What’s disappointing is that none of the characters seem to be truly in peril. The only instance where David, played by Money Heist: Korea’s Kim Ji-hoon, and Rebecca, find themselves in precarious situations is a single scene involving David getting injured by Gun. Fortunately or unfortunately, these two characters never encounter predicaments that require them to rely on anything other than their words or combat skills to extricate themselves from them.

ScreenRant

Generally speaking, it appears that critics in general have found much to commend about the series titled “Butterfly.” Moreover, action-oriented stories tend to be reliable choices for Amazon Prime Video following some of its successful productions. As of now, Butterfly has garnered a commendable 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

To have a look, you can access all six episodes right now by subscribing to the streaming platform where they’re currently streaming.

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2025-08-14 14:43