7 / 10. A simple yet twisty story, worth a watch

Black Butterfly is a mystery-thriller film directed by Brian Goodman and written by Marc Frydman and Justin Stanley.

Paul Lopez (Antonio Banderas) is a reclusive and alcoholic screenwriter staying in a remote mountain town, suffering from writer's block and hoping to write a career saving screenplay. Paul gets into a minor accident with a mysterious drifter, Jack (Jonathan Rhys Myers), and offers Jack his guestroom. Jack displays a keen interest in Paul’s writing and wants to help, and the two form a curious bond …

Black Butterfly has a simple premise and is a seemingly straightforward story. To say much more might ruin the outcome, but the film is enjoyable with good dialogue and it didn’t play out how I expected.

I’m a big fan of Jonathan Rhys Myers and he’s great in the role of Jack, an unpredictable, charismatic and secretive character, which suits him perfectly. Antonio Banderas is effective and believable as Paul, even though all I can hear and think of now when he speaks is “Puss. In Boots”.

Black Butterfly also stars Piper Perabo, Abel Ferrara, Vincent Riotta and Nathalie Rapti Gomez in effective supporting roles.

Twisty, very twisty.