In our view, 'Higher Learning' puts identity and ideology at the heart of its narrative, sometimes at the expense of nuance and character depth. The emphasis on race, gender, and sexuality occasionally overshadows personal development and realism. However, the story does explore real issues in a university setting, so it's not completely one-dimensional.

The film regularly challenges traditional viewpoints, especially around masculinity, campus politics, and authority figures, often portraying established norms as problematic or oppressive. Religion and family are notably sidelined or cast in a negative light, presenting them as part of the problem rather than the solution.

Alternative or more traditional worldviews are generally pushed to the margins, often depicted as extreme or backward. Sincere pluralism is lacking, characters who dissent from the prevailing ideological current face villainization or are presented as stereotypes.