[3] The storyline revolves around Ann (Barbara Steele), a reclusive and butterfly-obsessed elderly lady who develops a disturbing relationship with a mysterious young girl, years after destroying the relationship with her daughter Dorothy (Heather Langenkamp).

The film centers around Ann, an introverted unfriendly woman who lives in an apartment building with her neighbour, a single mother named Claudia and her daughter Julie.

At the beginning of the film, Ann walks past a workman balancing dangerously on a ladder whilst trimming a tree.

Ann invites her inside her apartment to pass the time until her mother arrives home.

He explains that he thought she may have kicked his ladder because he had previously seen her scolding a young girl in the corridor of the apartment building.

Just as the door opens she lunges from the corner and sprays him in the face with acid she bought from the taxidermy shop.

When she leaves, Alice asks Ann if she can keep the money she was supposed to repay her for the doll and explains her mother is disabled.

Ann picks up a blue framed butterfly, showing that the apartment is where Alice lives.

In the elevator, Ann hits the emergency stop button and opens a small trap door.

When Julie goes to bed, Claudia discusses her relationship with her "office manager" and announces her pregnancy to Ann.

In the present day, Nick is fixing Ann's window before he confronts her about demolishing the wall in her apartment.

He then offers to have workers tear down the wall for her illegally for money after he moves a dresser in front of the butterfly room for her.

As Ann is talking to Julie in the present day, she is confronted by Dorothy, the mother of William, outside of her apartment.

Langenkamp was approached to play the role of Dorothy while attending a horror convention when Zarantonello gave her a script for the film.

Staci Layne Wilson of 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.

"[7] Frank Scheck of 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.