Cicada (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A developing relationship forces two men to confront private trauma, emotional isolation, and the conditions required for intimacy to survive.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Life Without Meaning

Ben lives in Brooklyn, takes odd jobs, and pursues one-night stands that leave him empty. His hypochondria also keeps him tied to a recurring medical routine with Dr. Dragone.

Key Events

• Brooklyn Routine — Ben spends his days living in Brooklyn and moving through an established routine. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn
• Odd Jobs — Ben supports himself by taking on a series of odd jobs. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn
• Meaningless Encounters — At night, Ben has one-night stands that leave him feeling empty. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn
• Emotional Emptiness — Ben's repeated casual encounters fail to provide lasting meaning. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn
• Hypochondriac Anxiety — Ben's hypochondria becomes a persistent part of his daily experience. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn
• Medical Routine — Ben repeatedly goes through a set routine with his physician, Dr. Dragone. Characters: Ben, Dr. Dragone Location: Dr. Dragone's office

An Unexpected Connection

While browsing for books, Ben meets Sam, a data analyst. The meeting gives Ben's life new meaning as the two men begin growing closer.

Key Events

• Medical Routine — Ben repeatedly goes through a set routine with his physician, Dr. Dragone. Characters: Ben, Dr. Dragone Location: Dr. Dragone's office
• Book Browsing — Ben browses for books before meeting Sam. Characters: Ben Location: Bookstore
• Meeting Sam — Ben meets Sam, a data analyst, while browsing for books. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Bookstore
• New Meaning — Meeting Sam gives Ben's life a new sense of meaning. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Growing Closeness — Ben and Sam gradually grow closer after their first meeting. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified

Secrets Between Them

Ben and Sam exchange deeply personal disclosures. Ben discusses childhood sexual abuse, while Sam discusses PTSD after being shot and not coming out to his religious father.

Key Events

• Growing Closeness — Ben and Sam gradually grow closer after their first meeting. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Shared Secrets — Each man admits personal secrets previously kept from almost everyone else. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Ben's Disclosure — Ben tells Sam about his childhood sexual abuse. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Sam's Trauma — Sam tells Ben that he has PTSD from being shot. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Unresolved PTSD — Sam's post-traumatic stress remains an unresolved burden within the relationship. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified
• Unspoken Identity — Sam reveals that he has not come out to his extremely religious father. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified

The Cost of Healing

Their growing intimacy brings both men's unresolved traumas into sharper focus. They must each come to terms with those experiences if their relationship is to survive.

Key Events

• Unspoken Identity — Sam reveals that he has not come out to his extremely religious father. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified
• Vulnerability Deepens — Their disclosures deepen the emotional vulnerability between Ben and Sam. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Trauma Resurfaces — Both men must face the continuing effects of their separate traumas. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Relationship Tested — Their unresolved personal histories threaten the stability of their relationship. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Confronting Their Past — Ben and Sam must each come to terms with the trauma shaping their lives. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Conditional Survival — The future of their relationship depends on whether they can process their traumas. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Ben's Isolated Routine — Ben begins in a life marked by unstable work, empty sexual encounters, and hypochondriac anxiety.
  • Brooklyn Odd Jobs — Ben spends his days living in Brooklyn and taking on a series of odd jobs.
  • Empty Nightlife — His one-night stands repeatedly leave him feeling empty inside.
• Medical Anxiety Cycle — Ben's hypochondria creates a recurring routine involving his physician, Dr. Dragone.
  • Hypochondriac Fear — Ben suffers from persistent hypochondria as part of his established life.
  • Physician Routine — He frequently goes through a set routine with Dr. Dragone.
• Chance Meeting Sam — Ben's encounter with Sam provides a sharp contrast to his earlier emotional emptiness.
  • Bookstore Encounter — Ben meets Sam while browsing for books.
  • New Life Meaning — Meeting Sam gives Ben's life new meaning.
• Growing Emotional Intimacy — Ben and Sam become increasingly close and establish a relationship based on personal openness.
  • Mutual Closeness — The two men grow closer over time.
  • Shared Secrets — Each admits personal secrets previously withheld from almost everyone else.
• Trauma Revealed — Their intimacy exposes the painful experiences each man carries.
  • Ben's Childhood Abuse — Ben tells Sam about his childhood sexual abuse.
  • Sam's PTSD — Sam reveals PTSD from being shot.
• Identity And Survival — The relationship faces pressure from unresolved trauma and Sam's undisclosed identity within his family.
  • Unspoken Coming Out — Sam has not come out to his extremely religious father.
  • Relationship At Risk — Both must come to terms with their traumas if the relationship is to survive.

Directed by

Kieran Mulcare, Matthew Fifer

Key Cast

• Matthew Fifer — Ben
• Sheldon D. Brown — Sam
• Sandra Bauleo — Debbie
• Jazmin Grace Grimaldi — Amber
• Cobie Smulders — Sophie