Hellhole focuses on atmosphere and mystery with its horror-thriller narrative, not shoehorning identity politics or ticking representation checkboxes. Characters are cast for their fit within a grim convent setting rather than as social messages. Neither race, gender, nor sexuality is unnecessarily foregrounded, making the story relatively non-woke.

The film leans into anti-clerical horror tropes, depicting the Catholic Church as malevolent and riddled with dark secrets. This isn’t anything new for horror, but it does indulge in themes that undermine traditional religion. Still, it’s more atmospheric than directly ideological.

There’s little in the way of overt moralizing. While religious figures aren’t shown in a flattering light, the film avoids sermonizing on modern ideological talking points. Traditional values aren’t mocked so much as used to ramp up horror.