Sparks fly between two New York strangers in gay romantic drama Cicada

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Peccadillo Pictures

Gay romantic drama Cicada is set to be released in UK cinemas on 21 January, and Attitude can exclusively share a clip that crackles with sexual tension.

Based on Matthew Fifer’s and Sheldon D Brown’s personal experiences, Cicada is a heartfelt and refreshingly hopeful tale that tackles complex subjects with grace, delicacy, and uncompromising honesty.

It tells the story of a thirty-something New Yorker Ben, played by Matthew Fifer who’s stuck between meaningless hook-ups and awkward sessions with his free-spirited therapist, Sophie played by Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother).

Things change when he meets Sheldon D Brown’s Sam, a handsome stranger with whom he forms an immediate connection. As the pair while away balmy summer nights getting to know each other intimately, their layers begin to peel away, revealing the secrets and fragilities they must share if they are to truly let the other person in.

In the exclusive clip from Peccadillo Pictures, Ben and Sam share a drink as sparks begin to fly.

The film was launched at Outfest in 2020 and has also been featured at the BFI London Film Festival. Fifer and Brown were recently nominated for Best First Screenplay at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Guy Lodge wrote for Variety that the film tackles “the pain and poetry of being young, queer, troubled and in love,” while Vogue has called it “a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”

Check out the trailer below: