This film places overt emphasis on the lead's gender and identity, sometimes at the expense of realistic character reactions and story cohesion. The main character is treated as extraordinarily competent, often outshining her male counterparts with little explanation or character growth. Some viewers may interpret this as narrative being sacrificed for ideology.

Shadow in the Cloud tends to undermine traditional gender roles by making the male crew members buffoonish or antagonistic while elevating the female lead to near-mythic status. Traditional notions of masculinity and hierarchy are either mocked or completely subverted throughout the film.

The film doesn't offer much room for alternative or traditional viewpoints. Any dissent from the protagonist is usually dismissed, mocked, or villainized. There is little sincere debate or plurality of perspective when it comes to gender or authority.