The film centers on family drama and addiction, focusing on authentic character arcs rather than ticking diversity boxes. Casting choices and character development feel motivated by the needs of the story, not by identity politics. There's little indication that narrative integrity was sacrificed for ideology, so it gets a low score here, and that's a compliment.

The film explores complicated family dynamics but doesn't set out to mock or undermine traditional values in any heavy-handed way. Religion, family, and masculinity are presented with nuance; if anything, flaws are just part of messy human nature, nothing particularly woke about that. Some aspects challenge tradition, but mostly in a believable, personal way.

The film avoids one-note preaching. It gives voice to a mixture of perspectives, and even the more progressive elements, like some diverse casting in supporting roles, aren't used as cudgels. No ham-fisted moralizing or villainous caricatures of traditional viewpoints. In short, the film feels more like a genuine family gathering than an ideological lecture.