Among the most compelling entries in the horror genre are found-footage films, and over the weekend, Shudder introduced V/H/S Beyond, which features some of the year’s most chilling moments.
This style of filmmaking often divides audiences, and for good reason. If the erratic camera work, anxious characters, and sudden conclusions don’t appeal to you, this isn’t the genre for you.
Nonetheless, there’s an exception that stands out in this niche: Butterfly Kisses. This film not only exemplifies the found-footage style but also explores and critiques it.
You can currently stream Butterfly Kisses in full on YouTube, and it’s also available on Tubi, where the occasional advertisement isn’t too burdensome—especially considering the price is right: free!
The film takes a meta approach, resembling a documentary that chronicles the journey of Gavin York, a filmmaker who stumbles upon a collection of tapes marked, “Don’t Watch,” at his in-laws’ home.
After he views a few of these unsettling tapes and recognizes their horrifying—and potentially viral—content, he makes a questionable choice: he aims to complete the movie originally conceived by the unknown students behind the footage.
Yet, there’s no trace of these students, who were delving into an eerie urban legend known as Peeping Tom—a “flickergeist” that latches onto anyone foolish enough to challenge its existence. As Gavin’s fixation on their narrative deepens, the unraveling of his life becomes intertwined with the chilling mystery.
Although it was quietly launched in 2018, this film has garnered significant recognition through recommendations on Reddit, and it boasts a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Chris Stuckmann remarked in his review that it offers a gripping perspective on how a filmmaker’s obsession can lead to self-destruction.
“While Butterfly Kisses may seem like a familiar tale, it is delivered in an unsettlingly original manner, making it a must-see,” noted Michelle Swope in her review.
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