Goodbye, Butterfly is a psychological thriller movie released in 2021 directed by Tyler Wayne. The movie centers around a couple, Chris and Nellie Davis, who are dealing with the aftermath of their six-year-old daughter's disappearance. Chris (Adam Donshik) is a struggling writer who has been unable to write anything substantial since the incident, while Nellie (Marie Burke) has isolated herself from the world and has turned to alcohol to cope with the grief.
The movie starts with Chris and Nellie moving into a new house in a quiet neighborhood as a fresh start in their lives. The couple is struggling to maintain their relationship since their daughter's disappearance, and their move is a desperate attempt to rebuild their lives. However, soon after the move, the couple's life takes a dark turn when they discover a child's drawing on their doorstep with a message saying, "We miss you."
The couple is both shocked and confused since they believe that their daughter is dead. Soon after the discovery, they receive another message saying, "Butterflies are magical. They lead to happiness." The messages become a regular occurrence, and the couple begins to investigate the source of the messages. In their journey to find out the truth, they meet a series of people who may or may not be involved in their daughter's disappearance.
Andy Lauer stars as Detective Simpson, who is assigned to investigate the case of the missing little girl. He helps the couple with their investigation and advises them to be cautious since the perpetrator may be trying to manipulate them. The couple also interacts with a mysterious woman who seems to have a connection to their past and may provide some answers to their questions.
As the couple delves deeper into the investigation, they find out that the source of the messages is a young girl named Sammy (Olivia Valli), who is the same age as their daughter when she disappeared. As they get closer to Sammy, they realize that she may be their best chance at finding out the truth about their daughter's disappearance.
The plot of the movie unfolds with a series of twists, turns, and unexpected events that keep the audience hooked. The movie is a gripping thriller that explores the themes of grief, loss, guilt, and redemption. It is a moving portrayal of how tragedy can bring people together or tear them apart.
The cinematography of the movie is excellent, with beautiful shots of the neighborhood and the surrounding area. The lighting is also well-done, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the audience engaged. The music is eerie, adding to the overall dark tone of the movie.
The performances of the actors are commendable, with Adam Donshik delivering an emotional performance as Chris Davis, a man torn apart by guilt and grief. Marie Burke's portrayal of Nellie Davis is also exceptional, capturing the essence of a woman grappling with the loss of her child. Olivia Valli delivers a fine performance as Sammy, a young girl dealing with her own demons.
In conclusion, Goodbye, Butterfly is a well-made thriller that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It is a poignant tale of loss, love, and redemption that will keep the audience guessing until the very end. The movie will tug at the audience's heartstrings and leave them with a sense of hope amidst the darkness.
Goodbye, Butterfly is a 2021 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.