Prime’s New Reacher Rival Is a Streaming Hit (As Viewers Disagree With Critics)

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As a follower, I’m thrilled to share that despite some mixed reviews, the new spy thriller on Prime Video titled “Butterfly” has been a major success in its debut week. Currently, it’s 68% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which is quite impressive, but falls short of the 89% rating it received from the site’s user-based “popcornmeter.” However, the series has managed to secure the second spot on Prime Video’s weekly most-watched shows list, just behind “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” It’s also outperforming the third most-watched show, “Countdown,” and is closing in on the first place. This could be due to the binge model, as viewers who fell in love with “Butterfly” had access to all six episodes at once starting Wednesday. If you haven’t yet, you can now stream the entire series on Prime Video.

The Butterfly character originates from a graphic novel series, penned by Arash Amel and published by Boom! Studios. In this story, Daniel Dae Kim portrays David Jung, a former US intelligence agent residing in South Korea, attempting to leave behind his troubled past. Reina Hardesty takes on the role of Rebecca, David’s daughter, who against her father’s wishes, has pursued the same career path.

Although it may not be extraordinarily original, it’s a well-loved concept for a reason. The series delivers all the elements that make up a great spy thriller – mystery, excitement, and an artful mix of extraordinary ability and emotional depth. At first glance, the program shares many characteristics with other recent streaming shows such as Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher and The Terminal List (and others), but it offers its unique take on the genre.

Many critics found the main issue with the series was its lack of distinctiveness within its genre and the ambiguous structure of its open-ended format, leaving some viewers feeling disappointed instead of eager for a new season. The majority of negative comments centered around the show’s sluggish and uninspiring character progression, while praise focused on its entertaining use of a tried-and-true formula. Critics also deemed it an appropriate choice for summertime binge-watching and appreciated that it didn’t overpromise more than it could deliver.

In the bustling world of spy thrillers, Butterfly might not shine as brightly as others, but it steers clear of being a mechanical rehash of familiar tropes. For those who appreciate this genre, there’s definitely a charm to be found here, and dedicated fans of Kim will find nothing to fault. The six-episode series is currently streaming on Prime Video, and the Butterfly graphic novels can be found in both print and digital editions.

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2025-08-17 20:33