Year: 2012
Runtime: 90 min
Language: English
Director: Jim Field Smith
In this darkly comedic film, Iowa's celebrated butter carving champion, Bob Pickler, finds himself challenged by his wife, Laura, who is desperate to win the coveted title. The competition intensifies with the arrival of a young, talented rival and other unexpected contenders. Laura’s relentless ambition drives her to increasingly elaborate schemes of sabotage and betrayal, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic events as she vies for the top spot.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Butter (2012), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
A story that plunges into the depths of fierce rivalry, BUTTER examines the relentless ambition of Laura Pickler, the devoted wife of Bob Pickler, portrayed by Ty Burrell, who has long held the title of Iowa’s champion butter carver. For a significant span of fifteen years, Laura found joy in supporting her husband, relishing her status as the attractive and devoted partner to Bob, who is not only friendly but also immensely talented in his artistic pursuits. However, when Bob is faced with the pressure to step aside and allow another contender the opportunity to shine, Laura’s indignation propels her to take action and enter the competition herself.
On the pivotal day of sign-ups, Laura eagerly positions herself at the front of the line, only to confront a startling reality—her chances of securing a victory swiftly diminish with the appearance of an unexpected rival: Destiny, a ten-year-old African-American foster child raised by Julie and Ethan. The stakes heighten even further with the entrance of Bob’s potential mistress, Brooke, a rebellious stripper who also throws her hat into the ring, along with Carol-Ann, Bob’s most ardent admirer, played by Kristen Schaal.
As Laura grapples with the challenges posed by her three challengers, she faces ridicule from her stepdaughter, Kaitlen, while her relationship with Bob begins to fray under strain. Determined to emerge victorious, Laura is prepared to go to any lengths necessary, even if it means resorting to sabotage. In her quest for glory, she enlists the help of her former boyfriend, Boyd, whose foolishness proves both a hindrance and an unexpected advantage in her unconventional campaign for the title.
Ultimately, BUTTER delves into themes of rivalry, ambition, and the lengths one will go to seize victory, all while serving up a dollop of humor and heart amidst the intense competition.
Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Dark comedies about ordinary people going to absurd lengths for trivial victories.Find more movies like Butter, where dark humor meets fierce ambition. These films feature characters whose desperate pursuit of a quirky or trivial goal leads to chaotic and hilarious consequences. If you enjoyed the unhinged rivalry in Butter, you'll appreciate these satirical stories about obsession.
The narrative typically follows a protagonist whose life becomes defined by a singular, often absurd, competitive goal. As their obsession grows, they abandon reason and ethics, employing increasingly elaborate and ridiculous tactics to secure a win, creating a steady build-up of comedic chaos.
These movies are grouped by their shared tone of dark satire mixed with a steady, character-driven pacing. They explore the humor found in disproportionate ambition, where the intensity stems from personal desperation rather than high-stakes drama, resulting in a consistently amusing and cynical vibe.
Stories where fierce rivalries in niche worlds spiral into humorous betrayal.Explore more films with the competitive chaos of Butter. These stories dive into niche worlds where rivalries ignite, leading to hilarious sabotage and betrayal. If you liked the spiteful battle for the butter carving title, you'll enjoy these comedies and dramas about all-consuming contests.
The plot revolves around a high-stakes (for the characters) competition that serves as a pressure cooker for conflict. Rivals emerge, alliances shift, and characters reveal their true colors through acts of sabotage and deception, leading to a climax where the competition's outcome resolves the personal drama.
Movies here share a core structure built around a contest, creating a natural source of steady pacing and medium intensity. The unifying element is the vibe of chaotic fun derived from watching characters fully invest their ego into a niche battle, resulting in a mix of humor and interpersonal tension.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Butter in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Butter is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Butter with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Butter. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Butter that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Butter: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Butter that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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