Cicada (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Ben's struggle to speak openly about shame and trauma unfolds alongside his growing relationship with Sam.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

Confession and Unease

Ben's opening confession reveals his tendency to avoid admitting painful truths. He remains unsettled in his love life and worries about his health.

Key Events

• The Pudding Confession — Ben confesses to switching puddings and staining a friend's white shepherd. Characters: Ben Location: Unspecified
• The Dog Is Let Go — Ben lets the dog go rather than admitting what happened. Characters: Ben Location: Unspecified
• Uneasy Love Life — Ben has recently changed course in his love life and struggles to express his feelings. Characters: Ben Location: Brooklyn

A Relationship Takes Shape

Ben meets Sam and attraction develops into a relationship. Their differences, Ben's anxieties, and Sam's teasing create awkward tension.

Key Events

• Ben Meets Sam — Ben meets Sam while browsing for books, and attraction develops between them. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Book browsing setting
• Symptoms and Uncertainty — Ben worries about nausea and difficulty swallowing. Characters: Ben Location: Unspecified
• Awkward Growing Closeness — Their relationship develops, but differences and Sam's teasing leave Ben unsure how to respond. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Unspecified
• Sam Shares His Work — Sam talks about his data work and jokes about serious work he has done. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified

Sam's Unspoken Trauma

Sam recounts being shot after a kiss at a station and explains that the experience left him shaken. His fear of telling his father about his life complicates his relationship with Ben.

Key Events

• The Station Shooting — Sam recalls being shot by a man in a car after kissing a stranger. Characters: Sam Location: Station
• Trauma Kept Secret — Sam says the shooting left him shaken and that he has kept it from his father. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified
• Fear of Coming Out — Sam fears how his religious upbringing and his father's perceptions will complicate coming out. Characters: Sam Location: Unspecified

Nervous Connection

Sam brings Ben to meet his father, and the encounter remains nervous rather than openly easy. Ben also tries to connect with friends by singing despite his discomfort.

Key Events

• A Nervous Introduction — Sam brings Ben to meet his father; the encounter features banter and nervousness. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Sam's father's home
• Ben Sings for Friends — Pressed by friends to sing, Ben performs despite feeling uncomfortable. Characters: Ben Location: A gathering with friends

The Secret Comes Into View

In therapy, Ben discloses childhood sexual abuse and describes the secrecy, compulsive cleaning, and humor that surrounded his memories. The disclosure marks a painful move toward confronting what he had buried.

Key Events

• The Hidden Abuse — Ben tells his therapist that he was molested as a child and kept it secret for years. Characters: Ben Location: Therapy setting
• Confronting Painful Memories — Ben describes compulsive cleaning, distressing memories, and using humor to deflect attention. Characters: Ben Location: Therapy setting

Warmth at the Close

Ben worries about his appearance before going out. Sam reassures him, ending the story on a moment of acceptance.

Key Events

• A Reassuring Compliment — Ben worries about his appearance, and Sam reassures him that he looks beautiful. Characters: Ben, Sam Location: Before going out

Story Breakdown

• Avoided Truths — Ben's early confession and evasions establish a pattern of hiding uncomfortable feelings.
  • Pudding Confession — Ben recounts switching puddings and staining a friend's white shepherd.
  • Letting the Dog Go — Rather than admit what happened, Ben lets the dog go.
• Health and Insecurity — Ben's worries about his body and difficulty expressing himself shape his unsettled daily life.
  • Physical Symptoms — He worries about nausea and difficulty swallowing.
  • Emotional Evasion — Shame and insecurity contribute to his habit of turning painful feelings into jokes.
• Growing Attraction — Ben and Sam begin a relationship that brings warmth as well as awkwardness.
  • Meeting Sam — Ben meets Sam while browsing for books, and their attraction develops.
  • Awkward Differences — Their differences and Sam's teasing sometimes leave Ben unsure how to respond.
• Sam's Trauma — Sam shares a frightening experience that continues to affect him.
  • Station Shooting — Sam recalls being shot by a man in a car after kissing a stranger at a station.
  • Unshared Experience — Sam says the shooting left him shaken and that he has kept it from his father.
• Family Disclosure Fear — Sam's wish to be honest with his family is complicated by his religious upbringing and fear of his father's perceptions.
  • Coming Out Anxiety — Sam worries about how his background and his father's perceptions will complicate coming out.
  • Nervous Meeting — Sam brings Ben to meet his father, and the encounter is marked by banter and nervousness.
• Ben Seeks Connection — Ben makes attempts to be more open with the people around him despite discomfort.
  • Singing for Friends — Friends press Ben to sing, and he performs even though he feels uncomfortable.
  • Humor as Deflection — Ben has a long-standing habit of using jokes to deflect attention from painful feelings.
• Trauma Disclosure — Ben's therapy session becomes a turning point as he begins to name the abuse he had hidden.
  • Childhood Abuse — Ben tells his therapist that he was molested as a child and kept it secret for years.
  • Painful Memories — He describes compulsive cleaning and distressing memories as part of his response.
• Acceptance and Warmth — The closing moment offers Ben reassurance as he prepares to go out.
  • Appearance Worry — Ben worries about how he looks before going out.
  • Sam's Reassurance — Sam tells Ben that he looks beautiful, offering warmth and acceptance.

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