What Only Cicadas See Review: A Rewarding Slow-Burn Thriller!

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 Surya Komal 0 Comments Brad Courtemanche, English Movies, Hollywood, Hollywood Movie Reviews, Hollywood Movies, Mary Pursell, Omar Moustafa Ghonim, What Only Cicadas See

With artificial intelligence becoming the centerpiece of countless films in recent years, it’s easy to assume What Only Cicadas See is another cautionary tale about machines taking over humanity. Thankfully, writer-director Brad Courtemanche has something more interesting in mind. Rather than turning AI into either the hero or the villain, he uses it as a catalyst within a slow-burning psychological crime thriller that gradually descends into obsession, paranoia, and emotional collapse. What begins as a grounded investigation slowly transforms into an unsettling exploration of grief, anxiety, and the dangerous line between intuition and technology. It’s a film that rewards patience, steadily tightening the screws until the tension becomes almost unbearable.

The story follows documentary filmmakers Mara and Tariq, two friends determined to investigate lesser-known disappearances instead of chasing sensational true-crime headlines. Hoping to gain an investigative edge, Tariq develops Echo, an advanced AI capable of processing vast amounts of information and identifying patterns. While Tariq quickly embraces the technology, Mara initially remains skeptical, believing genuine investigation requires empathy more than algorithms. As new discoveries begin linking the disappearances together, the investigation grows increasingly dangerous, pulling both characters into a psychological spiral.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is that it stays true to its identity. Going in, I expected a science-fiction story centered primarily on the rise of artificial intelligence and whether it would ultimately prove beneficial or destructive. Instead, What Only Cicadas See is first and foremost a psychological crime thriller. The AI element exists to support the narrative rather than dominate it, and I appreciated that approach. At its core, the film is about two documentarians attempting to uncover the truth behind a disturbing pattern of disappearances, only to find themselves consumed by the very mystery they set out to solve.

The plot itself is fairly straightforward, but it’s the screenplay that elevates the material. Courtemanche embraces a genuine slow-burn structure, allowing the mystery and psychological tension to build gradually. Every new discovery increases the emotional pressure on the characters, and by the time the third act arrives, the atmosphere has become suffocating. The intensity doesn’t come from constant action but from watching the characters slowly lose control as the investigation consumes them.

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The character writing also deserves praise, particularly when it comes to Mara. Early in the film, she’s the one questioning Echo’s role in the investigation, preferring instinct and human understanding over technological certainty. However, as the case grows more complicated and emotionally taxing, she gradually becomes the one relying on Echo the most. That shift feels believable because Courtemanche carefully establishes her emotional background, particularly her unresolved trauma surrounding her brother and her struggles with severe anxiety. Those details don’t simply exist for exposition; they directly inform the psychological unraveling we witness later in the film. Her descent never feels random because the groundwork has been laid from the beginning.

Tariq serves as an effective contrast. He’s optimistic about technology and sees Echo as a valuable partner capable of helping them uncover truths hidden beneath mountains of data. While Omar Moustafa Ghonim delivers a solid performance, I did feel Tariq’s character could have benefited from a little more development. Compared to Mara’s layered emotional journey, his motivations and personal background aren’t explored with the same depth, leaving him feeling slightly underwritten despite his importance to the narrative.

I also appreciated What Only Cicadas See’s balanced perspective on artificial intelligence. Rather than reducing the conversation to “AI is good” or “AI is evil,” Courtemanche presents technology as a reflection of the people using it. One particular conversation between Mara and Echo stood out to me, where the AI suggests that not all artificial intelligence is inherently good, just as not all humans are. It’s a surprisingly thoughtful moment that captures the film’s central philosophy. Echo isn’t portrayed as a monster or a savior. Instead, it’s simply another tool capable of amplifying the intentions, fears, and obsessions already present within its users.

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The performances are arguably the film’s greatest strength. Mary Pursell is exceptional as Mara, delivering a performance that evolves beautifully throughout the runtime. Her facial expressions, physicality, and increasingly frantic body language all contribute to a performance that becomes genuinely unsettling by the final act. Omar Moustafa Ghonim complements her well as Tariq, matching her commitment and helping maintain the emotional credibility of their partnership. That said, there were a handful of moments where both performances felt pushed a little too far, occasionally drifting into melodrama when a more restrained approach could’ve been effective.

Technically, the film excels in creating atmosphere. The sound design is easily one of its strongest achievements. Especially when experienced with headphones, every environmental sound, distant noise, and subtle audio cue contributes to a growing sense of unease. From the opening minutes onward, the sound mixing carefully layers ambient effects, the persistent chorus of cicadas, moments of silence, and Echo’s voice to create an immersive psychological space that constantly keeps the viewers on edge.

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Steven Schloss’s cinematography also deserves recognition for making excellent use of the rural Florida locations, capturing isolated roads, dense landscapes, and quiet spaces that reinforce the film’s growing sense of isolation. While I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the warm yellow color palette used throughout, it does give the film a distinct visual identity that complements its oppressive atmosphere.

Ultimately, What Only Cicadas See succeeds because it never loses sight of the human story beneath its technological premise. Rather than delivering a simplistic statement about artificial intelligence, Brad Courtemanche crafts a patient psychological thriller supported by a compelling slow-burn screenplay, excellent lead performances, and outstanding sound design.

While the story may occasionally exaggerate emotional moments and leave a central character underdeveloped, thoughtful writing and an immersive atmosphere make for a rewarding watch. You can learn more ‘What Only Cicadas See (2027)’ follow the production house on Instagram for more updates.