Butterfly on a Wheel (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

Someone once told me that sports are the great equalizer. I agree. They have the potential to make you feel gargantuan and important, but they also have a way of humbling you. To some extent music has that same potential. Butterfly on a Wheel captures that essence and brings to life the story of a young, struggling man who wants nothing more than to be heard. Given his struggles with OCD, Jacen (Curran Walters) finds solace in his ability--though that, too, comes with its own slew of challenges.

Let’s start with what’s wrong with Butterfly on a Wheel. The film is too long--at least that’s what I kept thinking. There were a few times when I felt the film was nearing its conclusion, it then faded to black and left a satisfying taste in my mouth, something both bitter and sweet in the best way. Then, suddenly there was more, another piece of the puzzle--and the cynic in me quickly assumed each time that Writer-Director Trevor Morris had done too much. Each time I was wrong, as Morris provided another bit of cinematic ecstasy that resonated with me. Honestly, that’s my only gripe with Butterfly on a Wheel, my own cynicism. 

Aside from that, Butterfly on a Wheel is nearly perfect, captivating me from the start. The film opens to Jacen going through his typical morning routine in which he experiences the hardships of his OCD. Compulsive patterns dictate how and when he completes tasks, and it’s clear the frustration that often consumes him as a result of his affliction. Walters’ performance is brilliant, inspired really--and he does a spectacular job of portraying this character, creating something immersive, honest, and grounded.

Walter’s performance plays a pivotal role in the development of Butterfly on a Wheel, integral to whether or not viewers are able to accept Jacen’s affliction as genuine. It’s possible that a weak performance frustrates viewers in the sense that they can no longer identify with or appreciate Jacen, forcing them to cast aspersions rather than appreciate the battle that he fights each and every day.

What supplements his performance and allows viewers to better appreciate all that Walters provides throughout the course of this short film is the cinematography. Director of Photography Scott McClellan often indulges in extreme close ups that focus on Jacen’s rituals and immerse viewers in his world. How he’s affected by his OCD is made apparent in the opening seconds, but McClellan doesn’t shy away from revisiting these struggles, reminding viewers of the intensity of what he experiences each day. While I wouldn’t consider McClellan’s tactics extreme, I would consider them bold, and his willingness to step slightly outside of the norm speaks volumes to his talent and bolsters an already riveting film. 

Butterfly on a Wheel dives into intensity, ensuring that viewers are clear on all that Jacen’s life entails. As a result of the unique decisions made by McClellan and Morris in regard to the cinematography and Walters’ brilliant performance, Butterfly on a Wheel reels viewers in and exposes them to a world both eerily similar to and wildly different than our own. 

Written & Directed by Trevor Morris. 

Starring Curran Walters, Michael Provost, Brielle Robillard, Deanna Mae Lloyd, Kole Parks, etc. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW