Butterfly Kisses

The embedded documentary is set in March 2004, while the present-day investigation unfolds in May 2015 when Gavin finds the tapes and pursues them. The film juxtaposes early-2000s indie filmmaking aesthetics with a mid-2010s online-released mystery driven by found footage. It traces a decade of escalating obsession, investigation, and unraveling truth.

The story largely unfolds around the Ilchester Tunnel, a local landmark tied to the Peeping Tom legend. Key scenes take place in the basement of Gavin York's in-laws' home where the discovered tapes are edited, and later in a hotel room where the crew encounters more clues. The settings frame a documentary-driven mystery that probes the boundary between reality and enactment.

🎬 Obsession

Gavin York's drive to prove the Peeping Tom legend consumes his life, risking finances and family stability. The film examines how the pursuit of a breakthrough story can distort judgment and push boundaries. It shows how a single fixation can redefine a creator's priorities and identity.

🧠 Madness

The investigation strains the minds of those involved as reality and footage bleed into one another. Feldman's deteriorating state mirrors the growing fear around the legend. Sophia's mounting tension demonstrates how fear and fixation can erode perception.

🔎 Truth vs Fiction

Found-footage format raises questions about authenticity and manipulation. The crew uncovers inconsistencies and suspects that Gavin may be fabricating material. The narrative questions whether the project documents truth or manufactures it for entertainment.

👁️ Surveillance

The camera acts as a window into the terror, with Peeping Tom allegedly appearing in footage. Filming becomes a ritual that makes observers complicit in the haunting. The theme explores the modern gaze and how media can prey on viewers as well as subjects.