The film strongly emphasizes race, with characters' identities foregrounded throughout. While rooted in a play and historical context, it sometimes feels like personal backgrounds overshadow individual skill or natural character development, leaning into themes of victimhood and empowerment rather than balanced storytelling. Some viewers may see ideology over narrative depth.

Traditional institutions, especially related to faith, family, and masculinity, are often presented as sources of pain or repression. Male characters, in particular, are portrayed as deeply flawed or victims of circumstance, with few affirming cultural values depicted without irony or tragedy. The film appears to reinterpret cultural hardships for current sensibilities.

The film largely centers one worldview, focusing on racial oppression and marginalization with little room for alternative perspectives. Traditional or alternative views are not substantially explored, and dissenting voices are absent or presented unsympathetically. It feels like a one-sided ideological presentation.