The Butterfly Room
Reception
Reception
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The film has been met with generally mixed reviews. While film critic [Kim Newman](/wiki/Kim_Newman "Kim Newman") of *[Screen Daily](/wiki/Screen_Daily "Screen Daily")* criticized the film for delving into areas of [camp](/wiki/Camp_%28style%29 "Camp (style)") which he found to undercut the effect of horror, Newman praised both the performances of Langenkamp and Putnam.

Staci Layne Wilson of *[Dread Central](/wiki/Dread_Central "Dread Central")* stated, "Directed deftly on a little budget but with big love by Jonathan Zarantonello, The Butterfly Room succeeds as a slow\-burn and moody psychological thriller reminiscent of the best of the 1970s (though it is not a giallo, in spite of some of the press’ fervent wishes). The fact it is shot on location in beautiful, historic Los Angeles only adds to the atmosphere and authenticity."

[Frank Scheck](/wiki/Frank_Scheck "Frank Scheck") of *[The Hollywood Reporter](/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")* gave a much more mixed review saying, "The Butterfly Room is too ineptly executed to make it little more than a camp curiosity. Despite its plethora of would\-be shocking moments, the film provides little in the way of genuine scares, although director Zarantonello does provide a visually effective climax. Suffice it to say that Ann’s collection includes something more than winged insects."


Did Jonathan Zarantonello direct the film effectively?