A Separation grounds its narrative deeply in authentic, flawed characters and nuanced social dilemmas. Identity factors serve the realism of Iranian society rather than as ideological statements, with no sense that traits override skill or character growth. The story’s tension springs from personal and cultural conflict, not forced representation.

The film portrays religion, family, and traditional roles with complexity, not as punchlines or outdated relics. While it highlights challenges within these frameworks, it doesn’t mock or undermine them. Instead, it strives for a genuine depiction of intergenerational tension without rewriting cultural bedrock.

Multiple worldviews and moral stances are presented, sometimes in direct conflict. The story doesn’t mock or villainize tradition outright, nor does it push a singular contemporary ideological message. There’s real ideological debate, and no character enjoys universal narrative endorsement.