M. Butterfly (1993): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
M. Butterfly is a 1993 romantic drama directed by David Cronenberg, starring Jeremy Irons and John Lone. It is based on M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- David Cronenberg
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Geffen Pictures
- Based on
- M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is M. Butterfly About?
The premise of M. Butterfly without spoilers, adapted from M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1980s Beijing, French diplomat René Gallimard becomes captivated by the alluring opera singer Song Liling. Their passionate affair unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue, challenging Gallimard’s understanding of love, identity, and reality. As their relationship deepens, a startling revelation shatters his perceptions and exposes a complex web of deception and hidden truths.
M. Butterfly Themes & Keywords
· 46 tags- female nudity
- female topless nudity
- female full frontal nudity
- lgbt
- based on true story
- animal in title
- blood
- male protagonist
- tragic love
- tragic love story
- male crying
- makeup
+34 more Show fewer
- male star appears naked
- interracial romance
- transgender woman
- transgender
- love
- period drama
- china
- opera
- spy
- betrayal
- 1960s
- cultural revolution
- blurred boundaries
- cross dressing
- paris france
- suicide
- adultery
- destiny
- transvestism
- communism
- culture clash
- homosexual
- riot
- impostor
- tragedy
- based on play
- gay
- gay kiss
- bare chested male
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- male to female cross dressing
- man pretends to be woman
- gay sex
M. Butterfly Cast
Jeremy Irons leads the cast, with John Lone. Directed by David Cronenberg.
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Director David Cronenberg
More from David Cronenberg
More films directed by David Cronenberg, best-rated first: Dead Ringers, The Fly, Eastern Promises and The Shrouds.
M. Butterfly Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave M. Butterfly 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 39% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 67%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 43 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
M. Butterfly Plot Summary
What happens in M. Butterfly from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1964, Beijing, during a time of political transformation, Rene Gallimard, a reserved accountant at the French embassy, is utterly mesmerized by the performance of opera diva Song Liling in a rendition from Madame Butterfly. After the show, he expresses to his wife, Jeanne, his newfound appreciation for the heartbreaking narrative, only to be met with scorn. Jeanne criticizes his romanticized view of the submissive Oriental woman, remarking that “the Chinese can’t stand Madame Butterfly because ‘the white man gets the girl.’”
Full summary
The whole story of M. Butterfly, scene by scene
M. Butterfly Box Office
M. Butterfly grossed $1.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.5M
- US & Canada
- $1.5M
M. Butterfly Trailers & Videos
The trailer of M. Butterfly.
How Well Do You Know M. Butterfly?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which year does the story of M. Butterfly primarily take place?
Cars in M. Butterfly
10 cars on screen, including the BMW R 25/3 and the Avia A-21 F.
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BMW R 25/3 Important role -
Avia A-21 F Minor role -
1975 Citroën 2CV 6 Spécial Minor role -
1965 Citroën DS 19 Minor role
Seen M. Butterfly?
Movies Like M. Butterfly
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Moonlight Butterfly, A Butterfly in the Night and Madame Butterfly.
M. Butterfly FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of M. Butterfly, each answered in a sentence.
How long is M. Butterfly?
M. Butterfly runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was M. Butterfly released?
M. Butterfly was released on October 1, 1993.
Who directed M. Butterfly?
M. Butterfly was directed by David Cronenberg.
More films by David Cronenberg Who is in the cast of M. Butterfly?
M. Butterfly stars Jeremy Irons and John Lone.
How much did M. Butterfly make at the box office?
M. Butterfly grossed $1.5 million worldwide.
How is M. Butterfly rated?
M. Butterfly has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Is M. Butterfly based on a book?
Yes. M. Butterfly is adapted from M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang.
Does M. Butterfly have a post-credit scene?
No. M. Butterfly has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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