Cicada (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Cicada follows Jin after she inherits her late father’s restaurant and confronts the history he left behind. Her tense relationship with estranged chef Justin becomes tied to Justin’s unresolved love story with her father, leading them through shared memories toward closure.

Cicada is a 2026 short film directed by Yupu Luo. Running 16 minutes, it centers on Jin, who inherits a restaurant from her late father and finds herself facing more than the practical remains of his life.

Her conflict with estranged chef Justin opens a path into the past. As Justin’s unresolved love story with Jin’s father comes to the surface, the two are drawn into shared memories and a difficult process of closure.

Cicada movie details

Story without spoilers

After her father’s death, Jin becomes the owner of his restaurant. The inheritance places her in a complicated position as she tries to understand what has been left behind, while also clashing with Justin, an estranged chef connected to her father in a deeply personal way.

Justin’s unresolved relationship with Jin’s father gives their journey an emotional history. Together, Jin and Justin revisit shared memories as they move toward a clearer understanding of the past and the possibility of closure. The supplied synopsis does not reveal how their story ends.

What to expect

Cicada is a compact drama built around grief, family legacy and unresolved love. Its 16-minute runtime suggests a focused story rather than an expansive account, with the inherited restaurant serving as the setting for Jin’s confrontation with her father’s past. The film’s emotional tension comes from the uneasy connection between Jin and Justin and the memories they share.

Cast and creative team

Cicada is directed by Yupu Luo. No cast or writer credits are supplied.

Release and production context

Cicada is listed as released on September 20, 2026. It has a runtime of 16 minutes and is in English. The supplied information does not identify a country or production company.

Movies Dock view

With its short runtime and intimate premise, Cicada focuses on the emotional consequences of what a loved one leaves behind. The film’s central conflict brings Jin and Justin together through a complicated history, framing closure as something they must approach through memory and confrontation.

Film data:
TMDB