‘Silver Express’ Review: Miki Tanaka’s Sensitive Debut Feature Explores Asexual and Aromantic Identity

Yui Okamoto and Hayato Kurihara's performances bolster an understated story that chafes at societal conditioning around hetero-coupledom.

By Kambole Campbell

Kambole Campbell

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There are films and series with asexual characters in them, but far fewer interested in the experiential questions about moving through society as asexual and aromantic, and considering that identity on a spectrum. Miki Tanaka‘s debut feature “Silver Express” is one such film: a gentle character study observing the everyday annoyances of an asexual person living amongst people who not only don’t understand her, but insist on her adaptation to a heteronormative lifestyle. “Silver Express” wonders what common language can be found to relay the breadth of that orientation to others — and get those people to relax about setting them up.

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