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Poster for Butterfly

Butterfly

Seen it?

1999 | 96 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • It's in Spanish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The film centres on Moncho and his coming-of-age experience in Galicia in 1936. Moncho develops a close relationship with his teacher Don Gregorio who introduces the boy to different things in the world. While the story centres on Moncho's ordinary coming-of-age experiences, tensions related to the looming Spanish Civil War periodically interrupt Moncho's personal growth and daily life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $8 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 13K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by José Luis Cuerda

  • Fernando Fernán GómezDon Gregorio
  • Manuel LozanoMoncho
  • Uxía BlancoRosa
  • Gonzalo UriarteRamón
  • Alexis de los SantosAndrés
  • Jesús CastejónDon Avelino
  • Guillermo ToledoO'lis
  • Elena BaguttaCarmiña
  • Tamar NovasRoque
  • Lara LópezAurora