You are here:

Side By Side

Name: Side By Side
Director: Chihiro Ito
Released: 2023
Duration: 130 min

Representation Score

7.4/10

Good

2023

Director

Chihiro Ito

Runtime

130 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Side By Side is a character-driven drama that uses supernatural elements to explore psychological depth. Its primary strength lies in its potential to mirror neurodivergent experiences through the protagonist's heightened sensory perception. The film offers a nuanced look at interpersonal connections and the weight of personal history. It moves beyond surface-level clichés by focusing on the internal truths that individuals hide from society. However, the film remains grounded in a specific cultural and demographic context. While it explores psychological complexity, it does not overtly challenge broader global demographic hierarchies or provide explicit evidence of diverse identity markers.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Side By Side have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on the relationship between Miyama and Kusaka. While it delves into healing and past secrets, it doesn't explicitly confirm their queer identities or non-straight romantic orientations.

How does Side By Side portray gender?

Fair

The cast includes a mix of actors like Asuka Saito and Ameri Isomura. The film may challenge traditional masculine stereotypes through emotional vulnerability, but the roles of female characters remain undefined.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Side By Side?

Fair

Set in rural Japan with a mostly Japanese cast, the film reflects its local setting. It does not show intentional ethnic blending or color-blind casting practices.

How does Side By Side represent religion and culture?

Good

The film examines themes of healing and social facades. By focusing on a protagonist who senses hidden thoughts, it potentially critiques traditional Japanese societal structures.

Does Side By Side include disability representation?

Good

Miyama’s ability to sense thoughts serves as a metaphor for neurodivergence. This approach explores ability to act through cognitive differences rather than relying on deficit-based disability clichés.

Present on Screen

Uses supernatural perception as a sophisticated metaphor for neurodivergence and sensory processing.
Explores emotional vulnerability and the subversion of traditional masculine stoicism.
Provides a meaningful critique of social conformity and the masks people wear in society.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit confirmation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight romantic dynamics.
Does not demonstrate intentional ethnic diversity or color-blind casting within the main cast.
Provides limited evidence regarding the ability to act of female characters in driving the central plot.

Official Synopsis

Mysterious young man Miyama has the ability to sense the thoughts of other people. The secrets of his background linger emerge when he confronts the thoughts of Kusaka, his junior in high school, and the past that he ran away from.

How are these scores produced? →