Despite being unique in several ways, Prime Video's new spy thriller bears a striking resemblence to a brilliant 24-year-old series that boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 86%. The narrative parallels between the two highlight the immense potential the Prime Video detective series seems to hold if it manages to get renewed on the streamer.
By adding another wide range of compelling spy thrillers and detective shows, Amazon Prime Video is seemingly continuing its dad show domination in 2025. While shows like Reacher and Countdown have been performing incredibly well on the streaming service, Prime Video promises to bring even more enthralling thriller series in the near future.
While waiting for the streaming service's upcoming offerings, audiences should check out Prime Video's latest addition to the spy thriller genre. The new show seems to bring a new spin on the character beats of typical shows of the genre. However, it is hard not to notice how it also seems reminiscent of an incredible series that came out in 2001.
Butterfly's Early Story Setup Is Very Similar To J. J. Abrams' Alias
Both Shows Feature A Father-Daughter Duo
Reina Hardesty speaking to Daniel Dae Kim in Butterfly
Both Prime Video's Butterfly and ABC's Alias, female spy characters, Rebecca and Sydney, wear a fake pregnancy belly as part of their disguise to carry out a covert mission. As the story progresses, both characters learn that the corporation they were working for was built on lies and deception.
To their surprise, they also learn that their fathers are deeply entangled in the very conspiracies they are fighting against. After confronting the truth about their identities and loyalty, both characters join forces with their fathers to fight against the corporation they previously worked for.
What begins as a typical tale of espionage and undercover missions in both Butterfly and Alias gradually evolves into a deeply personal story about family and redemption. Since Alias lasted for five long seasons, it got to explore its story beats with far more depth than Butterfly.
However, the intriguing parallels between the opening arcs and thematic elements of both shows make them the perfect companion pieces in the spy thriller genre. Viewers who enjoyed watching one would undoubtedly love the other.
Butterfly Is A Perfect Reminder To Watch Alias
Alias Is A Forgotten Gem
Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow in Alias
Since Butterfly is Prime Video's latest addition to the spy thriller genre, it is already getting immense attention and has also been dominating the charts on the streaming service. Alias, in contrast, is more of a forgotten gem that dabbles with many timeless tropes and themes of the genre.
Show | Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Butterfly (After 1 Season) | 68% | 91% |
Alias (After 5 Seasons) | 86% | 92% |
